Sulfonylalkanoylamino hydroxyethylamino sulfonyl urea derivatives useful as retroviral protease inhibitors

ABSTRACT

Sulfonylalkanoylamino hydroxyethylamino sulfonyl urea derivative compounds are effective as retroviral protease inhibitors, and in particular as inhibitors of HIV protease. 
     In accordance with the present invention, compounds of Formula (I) are disclosed ##STR1## wherein the substituents are as defined in the specification.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/969,616 filed Oct. 30, 1992, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to retroviral protease inhibitors and, more particularly, relates to novel compounds and a composition and method for inhibiting retroviral proteases. This invention, in particular, relates to derivatives of hydroxyethylamino sulfonyl urea protease inhibitor compounds, a composition and method for inhibiting retroviral proteases such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease and for treating a retroviral infection, e.g., an HIV infection. The subject invention also relates to processes for making such compounds as well as to intermediates useful in such processes.

2. Related Art

During the replication cycle of retroviruses, gag and gag-pol gene products are translated as proteins. These proteins are subsequently processed by a virally encoded protease (or proteinase) to yield viral enzymes and structural proteins of the virus core. Most commonly, the gag precursor proteins are processed into the core proteins and the pol precursor proteins are processed into the viral enzymes, e.g., reverse transcriptase and retroviral protease. It has been shown that correct processing of the precursor proteins by the retroviral protease is necessary for assembly of infectious virons. For example, it has been shown that frameshift mutations in the protease region of the pol gene of HIV prevents processing of the gag precursor protein. It has also been shown through site-directed mutagenesis of an aspartic acid residue in the HIV protease that processing of the gag precursor protein is prevented. Thus, attempts have been made to inhibit viral replication by inhibiting the action of retroviral proteases.

Retroviral protease inhibition may involve a transition-state mimetic whereby the retroviral protease is exposed to a mimetic compound which binds to the enzyme in competition with the gag and gag-pol proteins to thereby inhibit replication of structural proteins and, more importantly, the retroviral protease itself. In this manner, retroviral replication proteases can be effectively inhibited.

Several classes of compounds have been proposed, particularly for inhibition of proteases, such as for inhibition of HIV protease. Such compounds include hydroxyethylamine isosteres and reduced amide isosteres. See, for example, EP O 346 847; EP O 342,541; Roberts et al, "Rational Design of Peptide-Based Proteinase Inhibitors," Science, 248, 358 (1990); and Erickson et al, "Design Activity, and 2.8 Å Crystal Structure of a C₂ Symmetric Inhibitor Complexed to HIV-1 Protease, " Science, 249, 527 (1990).

Several classes of compounds are known to be useful as inhibitors of the proteolytic enzyme renin. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,599,198; U.K. 2,184,730; G.B. 2,209,752; EP O 264 795; G.B. 2,200,115 and U.S. SIR H725. Of these, G.B. 2,200,115, GB 2,209,752, EP O 264,795, U.S. SIR H725 and U.S. Pat No. 4,599,198 disclose urea-containing hydroxyethylamine renin inhibitors. G.B. 2,200,115 also discloses sulfamic acid-containing hydroxyethylamine renin inhibitors, and EP 0264 795 discloses certain sulfamic acid-containing hydroxyethylamine renin inhibitors. However, it is known that, although renin and HIV proteases are both classified as aspartyl proteases, compounds which are effective renin inhibitors generally cannot be predicted to be effective HIV protease inhibitors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to virus inhibiting compounds and compositions. More particularly, the present invention is directed to retroviral protease inhibiting compounds and compositions, to a method of inhibiting retroviral proteases, to processes for preparing the compounds and to intermediates useful in such processes. The subject compounds are characterized as derivatives of sulfonylalkanoylamino hydroxyethylamino sulfonyl ureas inhibitor compounds.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a retroviral protease inhibiting compound of the formula: ##STR2## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug or ester thereof wherein: R represents alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkylalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroalkyl, heteroaralkyl, aminocarbonylalkyl, aminoalkyl, aminoalkylcarbonylalkyl, alkylcarbonylalkyl, aryloxyalkylcarbonyl, alkyl and aralkoxycarbonylalkyl radicals, aminoalkyl, and mono- and disubstituted aminoalkyl, mono- and disubstituted aminocarbonylalkyl and mono- and disubstituted aminoalkanoylalkyl radicals wherein the substituents are selected from alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyalkyl radicals, or wherein said aminoalkyl, aminocarbonylalkyl and aminoalkanoylalkyl radicals are disubstituted, said substituents along with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a heterocycloalkyl or heteroaryl radical;

R¹, R²⁰ and R²¹ independently represent hydrogen, --CH₂ SO₂ NH₂, --CH₂ CO₂ CH₃, --CO₂ CH₃, --CONH₂, --CH₂ C(O)NHCH₃, --C(CH₃)₂ (SH), --C(CH₃)₂ (SCH₃), --C(CH₃)₂ (SC₆ H₅) --C(CH₃)₂ (S O!CH₃), --C(CH₃)₂ (S O!₂ CH₃), alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and cycloalkyl radicals, and amino acid side chains selected from asparagine, S-methyl cysteine and methionine and the sulfoxide (SO) and sulfone (SO₂) derivatives thereof, isoleucine, allo-isoleucine, alanine, leucine, tert-leucine, phenylalanine, ornithine, histidine, norleucine, glutamine, threonine, glycine, allo-threonine, serine, O-alkyl serine, aspartic acid, beta-cyanoalanine and valine side chains;

R² represents alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl and aralkyl radicals, which radicals are optionally substituted with a group selected from alkyl and halogen radials, --NO₂, --CN, --CF₃, --OR⁹ and --SR⁹, wherein R⁹ represents hydrogen and alkyl radicals, and halogen radicals;

R³ represents alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, heteroaryl, heterocycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, aminoalkyl and mono- and disubstituted aminoalkyl radicals, wherein said substituents are selected from alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, heterocycloalkyl, and heterocycloalkylalkyl radicals, or in the case of a disubstituted aminoalkyl radical, said substituents along with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a heterocycloalkyl or a heteroaryl radical, and thioalkyl, alkylthioalkyl and arylthioalkyl radicals and the sulfone and sulfoxide derivatives thereof;

R⁴ represents hydrogen and radicals as defined by R³ ;

R⁶ represents hydrogen and alkyl radicals;

R⁷ and R⁷ ' independently represent hydrogen and radicals as defined for R³ ; amino acid side chains selected from the group consisting of valine, isoleucine, glycine, alanine, allo-isoleucine, asparagine, leucine, glutamine, and t-butylglycine; radicals represented by the formulas --C(O)R¹⁶, --CO₂ R¹⁶, --SO₂ R¹⁶, --SR¹⁶, --CONR¹⁶ R¹⁷, --CF₃ and --NR¹⁶ R¹⁷ ; or R⁷ and R⁷ ' together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl radical;

R⁸ represents cyano, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocycloalkyl and heteroaryl radicals and radicals represented by the formulas C(O)R¹⁶, CO₂ R¹⁶, SO₂ R¹⁶, SR¹⁶, CONR¹⁶ R¹⁷, CF₃ and NR¹⁶ R¹⁷ ;

wherein R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ independently represent hydrogen and radicals as defined for R³, or R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ together with a nitrogen to which they are attached in the formula NR¹⁶ R¹⁷ represent heterocycloalkyl and heteroaryl radicals;

each x independently represents 1 or 2;

t represents either 0, 1 or 2;

n represents an integer of from 0 to 6; and

Y represents O, S and NR¹⁵ wherein R¹⁵ represents hydrogen and radicals as defined for R³.

Examples of compounds of the present invention as defined by Formula I include:

1) N- 2R-hydroxy-3S- 2S- (methylsulfonyl)methyl!-1-oxobutyl!amino!-4phenylbutyl!(3-methylbutyl)amino!-sulfonyl!alanine

2) N- 2R-hydroxy-3S- 2S-methyl-3-(methylsulfonyl)-1-oxopropyl!amino!-4-phenylbutyl!(4-pyridinylmethyl)-amino!sulfonyl!-2-methylalanine

3) N- 2R-hydroxy-3S- 2S-methyl-3-(methylsulfonyl)-1-oxopropyl!amino!-4-phenylbutyl!(3-methylbutyl)-amino!sulfonyl!-2-methylalanine

4) 1- 2R-hydroxy-3S- 2S-methyl-3-(methylsulfonyl)-1-oxopropyl!amino!-4-phenylbutyl!(3-methylbutyl)-amino!sulfonyl!amino!cyclopentanecarboxylic acid

5) N- 2R-hydroxy-3S- 2S-methyl-3-(methylsulfonyl)-1-oxopropyl!amino!-4-phenylbutyl!(3-methylbutyl)-amino!sulfonyl!-2-methylalanine, methyl ester

6) 3- 2R-hydroxy-3S- 2S-methyl-3-(methylsulfonyl)-1-oxopropyl!amino!-4-phenylbutyl!(3-methylbutyl)-amino!sulfonyl!amino!-3-methylbutanoic acid

7) N- 2R-hydroxy-3S- 2S-methyl-1-oxo-3- (2-phenylethyl) sulfonyl!propyl!amino!-4-phenylbutyl!(2-methylpropyl) amino!sulfonyl!-2-methylalanine

8) 3- 2R-hydroxy-3S- 2S-methyl-3-(methylsulfonyl)-1-oxopropyl!amino!-4-phenylbutyl!(2-methylpropyl)-amino!sulfonyl!amino!-2-methylpropanoic acid

9) 1- 4- (fluorophenyl)methyl! 2R-hydroxy-3S- 1-oxo-2S- (2-(phenylethyl)sulfonyl!methyl!butyl!amino!-4-phenylbutyl!amino!sulfonyl!amino!cyclopropane-carboxylic acid

10) N- 2R-hydroxy-3- (2-hydroxy-1,1-dimethylethyl)-amino!sulfonyl!(2-methylpropyl)amino!1S-(phenylmethyl) propyl!-2S-methyl-3-(methylsulfonyl)-propanamide

A family of compounds of particular interest within Formula I are compounds embraced by Formula II: ##STR3## wherein: R represents alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkylalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroalkyl, heteroaralkyl, aminocarbonylalkyl, aminoalkyl, aminoalkylcarbonylalkyl, alkylcarbonylalkyl, aryloxyalkylcarbonylalkyl and aralkoxycarbonylalkyl radicals;

R¹, R²⁰ and R²¹ independently represent hydrogen, --CH₂ SO₂ NH₂, --CH₂ CO₂ CH₃, --CO₂ CH₃, --CONH₂, --CH₂ C(O)NHCH₃, --C(CH₃)₂ (SH), --C(CH₃)₂ (SCH₃), --C(CH₃)₂ (S O!CH₃), --C(CH₃)₂ (S O!₂ CH₃), alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and cycloalkyl radicals, and amino acid side chains selected from asparagine, S-methyl cysteine and methionine and the sulfoxide (SO) and sulfone (SO₂) derivatives thereof, isoleucine, allo-isoleucine, alanine, leucine, tert-leucine, phenylalanine, ornithine, histidine, norleucine, glutamine, threonine, glycine, allo-threonine, serine, O-methyl serine, aspartic acid, beta-cyanoalanine and valine side chains;

R² represents alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl and aralkyl radicals, which radicals are optionally substituted with a group selected from alkyl and halogen radials, --NO₂, --C.tbd.N, CF₃, --OR⁹, --SR⁹, wherein R⁹ represents hydrogen and alkyl radicals;

R³ represents alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, heteroaryl, heterocycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, aminoalkyl and mono- and disubstituted aminoalkyl radicals, wherein said substituents are selected from alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, heterocycloalkyl, and heterocycloalkylalkyl radicals, or in the case of a disubstituted aminoalkyl radical, said substituents along with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a heterocycloalkyl or a heteroaryl radical, and thioalkyl, alkylthioalkyl and arylthioalkyl radicals and the sulfone and sulfoxide derivatives thereof;

R⁴ represents hydrogen and radicals as defined by R³ ;

R⁷ and R⁷ ' independently represent radicals as defined for R³ and amino acid side chains selected from the group consisting of valine, isoleucine, glycine, alanine, allo-isoleucine, asparagine, leucine, glutamine, and t-butylglycine or R⁷ and R⁷ ' together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a cycloalkyl radical;

R⁸ represents cyano, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocycloalkyl and heteroaryl radicals and radicals represented by the formulas C(O)R¹⁶, C₂ R¹⁶, SO₂ R¹⁶, SR¹⁶, CONR¹⁶ R¹⁷, CF₃ and NR¹⁶ R¹⁷ ; wherein R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ independently represent hydrogen and radicals as defined for R³, or R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ together with a nitrogen to which they are attached in the formula NR¹⁶ R¹⁷ represent heterocycloalkyl and heteroaryl radicals;

n represents an integer of from 0 to 6; and

t represents 0 or 1.

A more preferred family of compounds within Formula II consists of compounds wherein:

R represents alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkylalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroalkyl, heteroaralkyl, aminocarbonylalkyl, aminoalkylcarbonylalkyl, alkylcarbonylalkyl, aryloxyalkylcarbonyl and aralkoxycarbonylalkyl radicals;

R¹, R²⁰ and R²¹ independently represent hydrogen CH₂ C(O)NHCH₃, C(CH₃)₂ (SCH₃), C(CH₃)₂ (S O!CH₃), C(CH₃)₂ (S O!₂ CH₃), alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and cycloalkyl radicals, and amino acid side chains selected from the group consisting of asparagine, valine, threonine, allo-threonine, isoleucine, tert-leucine, S-methyl cysteine and methionine and the sulfone and sulfoxide derivatives thereof, alanine, and allo-isoleucine;

R² represents alkyl, cycloalkylalkyl and aralkyl radicals, which radicals are optionally substituted with halogen radicals and radicals represented by the formula --OR⁹ and --SR⁹ wherein R⁹ represents alkyl radicals; and

R³ represents alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, hydroxyalkyl, thioalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkylthioalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl and heteroaralkyl radicals;

R⁴ represents hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, heterocycloalkyl and heterocycloalkylalkyl radicals;

R⁷ and R⁷ ' independently represent alkyl and aralkyl radicals or together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a cycloalkyl radical having from 3 to 8 carbon atoms;

R⁸ represents alkylcarbonyl, aryl, aroyl, aryloxy, aralkanoyl, cyano, hydroxycarbonyl, arylsulfonyl, alkylsulfonyl, alkylthio, hydroxyl, alkoxy, heteroaryl, dialkylaminocarbonyl, dialkylamino, cycloalkylamino, heterocyclylamino and alkoxycarbonyl radicals; and

n is an integer of from 0 to 6; and

t represents 0 or 1.

Of highest interest are compounds within Formula II wherein

R represents alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkylalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroalkyl, heteroaralkyl, aminocarbonylalkyl, aminoalkylcarbonylalkyl, alkylcarbonylalkyl, aryloxyalkylcarbonyl and aralkoxycarbonylalkyl radicals;

R¹, R²⁰ and R²¹ independently represent hydrogen CH₂ C(O)NHCH₃, C(CH₃)₂ (SCH₃), C(CH₃)₂ (S O!CH₃), C(CH₃)₂ (S O!₂ CH₃), methyl, propargyl, t-butyl, isopropyl and sec-butyl radicals, and amino acid side chains selected from the group consisting of asparagine, valine, S-methyl cysteine, allo-iso-leucine, iso-leucine, and beta-cyano alanine side chains;

R² represents CH₃ SCH₂ CH₂ --, iso-butyl, n-butyl, benzyl, 4-fluorobenzyl, 2-naphthylmethyl and cyclohexylmethyl radicals;

R³ represents propyl, isoamyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, cyclohexyl, cyclohexylmethyl, benzyl and pyridylmethyl radicals; and

R⁴ represents hydrogen and methyl, ethyl, i-propyl, propyl, n-butyl, t-butyl, cyclohexyl, 1,1-dimethylpropyl and phenyl radicals;

R⁷ and R⁷ ' independently represent methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl radicals, or together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl radical;

R⁸ represents methylcarbonyl, phenyl, hydroxy, methoxy, cyano, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, isopropoxycarbonyl, t-butoxycarbonyl, benzyloxycarbonyl, carboxyl, methoxycarbonyl, methylsulfonyl, methylthio, phenylsulfonyl, phenyl, 2-, 3- or 4-pyridyl, 2-, 3- or 4-pyridyl N-oxide, N,N-dimethylamino, 1-piperidinyl, 4-morpholinyl, 4-(N-methyl)piperazinyl and 1-pyrrolidinyl; and

n represents an integer of from 0 to 6.

Another family of compounds of particular interest within Formula I are compounds embraced by Formula III: ##STR4## wherein: R represents alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkylalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroalkyl, heteroaralkyl, aminocarbonylalkyl, aminoalkylcarbonylalkyl, alkylcarbonylalkyl, aryloxy-alkylcarbonyl, alkyl and aralkoxycarbonylalkyl radicals;

R¹, R²⁰ and R²¹ independently represent hydrogen, --CH₂ SO₂ NH₂, --CH₂ CO₂ CH₃, --CO₂ CH₃, --CONH₂, --CH₂ C(O) NHCH₃, --C(CH₃)₂ (SH), --C(CH₃)₂ (SCH₃), --C(CH₃)₂ (S O!CH₃), --C(CH₃)₂ (S O!₂ CH₃), alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and cycloalkyl radicals, and amino acid side chains selected from asparagine, S-methyl cysteine and methionine and the sulfoxide (SO) and sulfone (SO₂) derivatives thereof, isoleucine, allo-isoleucine, alanine, leucine, tert-leucine, phenylalanine, ornithine, histidine, norleucine, glutamine, threonine, glycine, allo-threonine, serine, aspartic acid, beta-cyano alanine and valine side chains;

R² represents alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl and aralkyl radicals, which radicals are optionally substituted with a group selected from alkyl and halogen radicals, --NO₂, --C.tbd.N, CF₃, --OR⁹, --SR⁹, wherein R⁹ represents hydrogen and alkyl;

R³ represents alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, heteroaryl, heterocycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, aminoalkyl and mono- and disubstituted aminoalkyl radicals, wherein said substituents are selected from alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, heterocycloalkyl, and heterocycloalkylalkyl radicals, or in the case of a disubstituted aminoalkyl radical, said substituents along with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a heterocycloalkyl or a heteroaryl radical; and thioalkyl, alkylthioalkyl and arylthioalkyl radicals and the sulfone and sulfoxide derivatives thereof;

R⁴ represents hydrogen and radicals as defined for R³ ;

R⁷ and R⁷ ' independently represent radicals as defined for R³ and amino acid side chains selected from the group consisting of valine, isoleucine, glycine, alanine, allo-isoleucine, asparagine, leucine, glutamine, and t-butylglycine or R⁷ and R⁷ ' together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a cycloalkyl radical;

R⁸ represents cyano, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocycloalkyl and heteroaryl radicals and radicals represented by the formulas C(O)R¹⁶, CO₂ R¹⁶, SO₂ R¹⁶, SR¹⁶, CONR¹⁶ R¹⁷, CF₃ and NR¹⁶ R¹⁷ ; and

wherein R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ independently represent hydrogen and radicals as defined for R³, or R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ together with a nitrogen to which they are attached in the formula NR¹⁶ R¹⁷ represent heterocycloalkyl and heteroaryl radicals;

n represents an integer of from 0 to 6.

A more preferred family of compounds within Formula III consists of compounds wherein

R represents alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkylalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroalkyl, heteroaralkyl, aminocarbonylalkyl, aminoalkylcarbonylalkyl, alkylcarbonylalkyl, aryloxyalkylcarbonyl and aralkoxycarbonylalkyl radicals;

R¹, R²⁰ and R²¹ independently represent hydrogen, alkyl and alkenyl radicals, and amino acid side chains selected from the group consisting of asparagine, valine, threonine, allo-threonine, isoleucine, tert-leucine, S-methyl cysteine and methiqnine and the sulfone and sulfoxide derivatives thereof, alanine, and allo-isoleucine;

R² represents alkyl, cycloalkylalkyl and aralkyl radicals, which radicals are optionally substituted with halogen radicals and radicals represented by the formula --OR⁹ and ---SR⁹ wherein R⁹ represents hydrogen and alkyl and halogen radicals;

R³ represents alkyl, haloalkyl, thioalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkylthioalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl and heteroaralkyl radicals; and

R⁴ represents hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, heterocycloalkyl and heterocycloalkylalkyl radicals;

R⁷ and R⁷ ' independently represent radicals as defined for R³ and amino acid side chains selected from the group consisting of valine, isoleucine, glycine, alanine, allo-isoleucine, asparagine, leucine, glutamine, and t-butylglycine or R⁷ and R⁷ ' together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a cycloalkyl radical;

R⁸ represents cyano, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocycloalkyl and heteroaryl radicals and radicals represented by the formulas C(O)R¹⁶, CO₂ R¹⁶, SO₂ R¹⁶, SR¹⁶, CONR¹⁶ R¹⁷, CF₃ and NR¹⁶ R¹⁷ ; and

n represents an integer of from 0 to 6.

Of highest interest are compounds within Formula III wherein

R represents alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkylalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroalkyl, heteroaralkyl, aminocarbonylalkyl, aminoalkylcarbonylalkyl, alkylcarbonylalkyl, aryloxyalkylcarbonyl and aralkoxycarbonylalkyl radicals;

R¹, R²⁰ and R²¹ independently represent hydrogen, methyl, propargyl, t-butyl, isopropyl and sec-butyl radicals, and amino acid side chains selected from the group consisting of asparagine, valine, S-methyl cysteine, allo-iso-leucine, iso-leucine, threonine, serine, aspartic acid, beta-cyano alanine, and allo-threonine side chains;

R² represents CH₃ SCH₂ CH₂ --, iso-butyl, n-butyl, benzyl, 4-fluorobenzyl, 2-naphthylmethyl and cyclohexylmethyl radicals;

R³ represents propyl, isobutyl, isoamyl, n-butyl cyclohexylmethyl, benzyl and pyridylmethyl radicals; and

R⁴ represents hydrogen and methyl, ethyl, i-propyl, propyl, n-butyl, t-butyl, cyclohexyl, 1,1-dimethylpropyl and phenyl radicals;

R⁷ and R⁷ ' independently represent alkyl and aralkyl radicals or together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a cycloalkyl radical having from 3 to 8 carbon atoms;

R⁸ represents alkylcarbonyl, aryl, aroyl, aryloxy, aralkanoyl, cyano, hydroxycarbonyl, arylsulfonyl, alkylsulfonyl, alkylthio, hydroxyl, alkoxy, heteroaryl, dialkylaminocarbonyl, dialkylamino, cycloalkylamino, heterocyclylamino and alkoxycarbonyl radicals; and

n is an integer of from 0 to 6.

As utilized herein, the term "alkyl", alone or in combination, means a straight-chain or branched-chain alkyl radical containing from 1 to about 10, preferably from 1 to 8, carbon atoms. Examples of such radicals include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, iso-amyl, hexyl, octyl and the like. The term "alkenyl", alone or in combination, means a straight-chain or branched-chain hydrocarbon radial having one or more double bonds and containing from 2 to about 18 carbon atoms preferably from 2 to 8 carbon atoms. Examples of suitable alkenyl radicals include ethenyl, propenyl, 1,4-butadienyl, 12-octadecene and the like. The term "alkynyl", alone or in combination, means a straight-chain hydrocarbon radical having one or more triple bonds and containing from 2 to about 10 carbon atoms, preferably from 2 to 8 carbon atoms. Examples of alkynyl radicals include ethynyl, propynyl, (propargyl), butynyl and the like. The term "alkoxy", alone or in combination, means an alkyl ether radical wherein the term alkyl is as defined above. Examples of suitable alkyl ether radicals include methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, iso-butoxy, sec-butoxy, tert-butoxy and the like. The term "cycloalkyl", alone or in combination, means a saturated or partially saturated monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic alkyl radical wherein each cyclic moiety contains from about 3 to about 8 carbon atoms and is cyclic. The term "cycloalkylalkyl" means an alkyl radical as defined above which is substituted by a cycloalkyl radical containing from about 3 to about 8, preferably from 3 to 6 carbon atoms. Examples of such cycloalkyl radicals include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and the like. The term "aryl", alone or in combination, means a phenyl or naphthyl radical which optionally carries one or more substituents selected from alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, hydroxy, amino, nitro, cyano, haloalkyl and the like, such as phenyl, p-tolyl, 4-methoxyphenyl, 4-(tert-butoxy)phenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 4-chlorophenyl, 4-hydroxyphenyl, 1-naphthyl, 2-naphthyl, and the like. The term "aralkyl", alone or in combination, means an alkyl radical as defined above in which one hydrogen atom is replaced by an aryl radical as defined above, such as benzyl, 2-phenylethyl and the like. The term "aralkoxy carbonyl", alone or in combination, means a radical of the formula --C(O)--O--aralkyl in which the term "aralkyl" has the significance given above. An example of an aralkoxycarbonyl radical is benzyloxycarbonyl. The term "aryloxyl" means a radical of the formula aryl--O-- in which the term aryl has the significance given above. The term "alkanoyl", alone or in combination, means an acyl radical derived from an alkanecarboxylic acid wherein alkane means a radical as defined above for alkyl. Examples of alkanoyl radicals include acetyl, propionyl, butyryl, valeryl, 4-methylvaleryl, and the like. The term "cycloalkylcarbonyl" means an acyl group derived from a monocyclic or bridged cycloalkanecarboxylic acid such as cyclopropanecarbonyl, cyclohexanecarbonyl, adamantanecarbonyl, and the like, or from a benz-fused monocyclic cycloalkanecarboxylic acid which is optionally substituted by, for example, alkanoylamino, such as 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-naphthoyl,2-acetamido-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-naphthoyl. The term "aralkanoyl" means an acyl radical derived from an aryl-substituted alkanecarboxylic acid such as phenylacetyl, 3-phenylpropionyl (hydrocinnamoyl), 4-phenylbutyryl, (2-naphthyl)acetyl, 4-chlorohydrocinnamoyl, 4-aminohydrocinnamoyl,4-methoxyhydrocinnamoyl, and the like. The term "aroyl" means an acyl radical derived from an aromatic carboxylic acid. Examples of such radicals include aromatic carboxylic acids, an optionally substituted benzoic or naphthoic acid such as benzoyl, 4-chlorobenzoyl, 4-carboxybenzoyl, 4-(benzyloxycarbonyl)benzoyl, 1-naphthoyl, 2-naphthoyl, 6-carboxy-2 naphthoyl, 6-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-2-naphthoyl, 3-benzyloxy-2-naphthoyl, 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoyl, 3-(benzyloxyformamido)-2-naphthoyl, and the like. The heterocyclyl or heterocycloalkyl portion of a heterocyclylcarbonyl, heterocyclyloxycarbonyl, heterocyclylalkoxycarbonyl, or heterocyclyalkyl group or the like is a saturated or partially unsaturated monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic heterocycle which contains one or more hetero atoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, which is optionally substituted on one or more carbon atoms by halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, oxo, and the like, and/or on a secondary nitrogen atom (i.e., --NH--) by alkyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, alkanoyl, phenyl or phenylalkyl or on a tertiary nitrogen atom (i.e. ═N--) by oxido and which is attached via a carbon atom. The heteroaryl portion of a heteroaroyl, heteroaryloxycarbonyl, or a heteroaralkoxy carbonyl group or the like is an aromatic monocyclic, bicyclic, or tricyclic heterocycle which contains the hetero atoms and is optionally substituted as defined above with respect to the definition of heterocyclyl. Such heterocyclyl and heteroaryl radicals have from four to about 12 ring members, preferably from 4 to 10 ring members. Examples of such heterocyclyl and heteroaryl groups are pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiamorpholinyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl (e.g., imidazol 4-yl, 1-benzyloxycarbonylimidazol-4-yl, etc.), pyrazolyl, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, furyl, thienyl, triazolyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, indolyl (e.g., 2-indolyl, etc.), quinolinyl, (e.g., 2-quinolinyl, 3-quinolinyl, 1-oxido-2-quinolinyl, etc.), isoquinolinyl (e.g., 1-isoquinolinyl, 3-isoquinolinyl, etc.), tetrahydroquinolinyl (e.g., 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-quinolyl, etc.), 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolinyl (e.g., 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-oxo-isoquinolinyl, etc.), quinoxalinyl, β-carbolinyl, 2-benzofurancarbonyl, 1-,2-,4- or 5-benzimidazolyl, and the like. The term "cycloalkylalkoxycarbonyl" means an acyl group derived from a cycloalkylalkoxycarboxylic acid of the formula cycloalkylalkyl--O--COOH wherein cycloalkylalkyl has the significance given above. The term "aryloxyalkanoyl" means an acyl radical of the formula aryl--O--alkanoyl wherein aryl and alkanoyl have the significance given above. The term "heterocyclyloxycarbonyl" means an acyl group derived from heterocyclyl--O--COOH wherein heterocyclyl is as defined above. The term "heterocyclylalkanoyl" is an acyl radical derived from a heterocyclyl-substituted alkane carboxylic acid wherein heterocyclyl has the significance given above. The term "heterocyclylalkoxycarbonyl" means an acyl radical derived from a heterocyclyl-substituted alkane--O--COOH wherein heterocyclyl has the significance given above. The term "heteroaryloxycarbonyl", means an acyl radical derived from a carboxylic acid represented by heteroaryl--O--COOH wherein heteroaryl has the significance given above. The term "aminocarbonyl" alone or in combination, means an amino-substituted carbonyl (carbamoyl) group derived from an amino-substituted carboxylic acid wherein the amino group can be a primary, secondary or tertiary amino group containing substituents selected from hydrogen, and alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl radicals and the like. The term "aminoalkanoyl" means an acyl group derived from an amino-substituted alkanecarboxylic acid wherein the amino group can be a primary, secondary or tertiary amino group containing substituents selected from hydrogen, and alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl radicals and the like. The term "halogen" means fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine. The term "haloalkyl" means an alkyl radical having the significance as defined above wherein one or more hydrogens are replaced with a halogen. Examples of such haloalkyl radicals include chloromethyl, 1-bromoethyl, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, 1,1,1-trifluoroethyl and the like. The term "leaving group" generally refers to groups readily displaceable by a nucleophile, such as an amine, a thiol or an alcohol nucleophile. Such leaving groups are well known in the art. Examples of such leaving groups include, but are not limited to, N-hydroxysuccinimide, N-hydroxybenzotriazole, halides, triflates, tosylates and the like. Preferred leaving groups are indicated herein where appropriate.

Procedures for preparing the compounds of Formula I are set forth below. It should be noted that the general procedure is shown as it relates to preparation of compounds having the specified stereochemistry, for example, wherein the absolute stereochemistry about the hydroxyl group is designated as (R), which is the preferred stereochemistry for the compounds of the present invention. However, such procedures are generally applicable to those compounds of opposite configuration, e.g., where the stereochemistry about the hydroxyl group is (S). In addition, the compounds having the (R) stereochemistry can be utilized to produce those having the (S) stereochemistry. For example, a compound having the (R) stereochemistry can be inverted to the (S) stereochemistry using well-known methods.

PRPERATION OF COMPOUNDS OF FORMULA I

The compounds of the present invention represented by Formula I above can be prepared utilizing the following general procedure. This procedure is schematically shown in the following Schemes I and V: ##STR5## wherein P represents an amino protecting group, and R² is as defined above, is reduced to the corresponding alcohol utilizing an appropriate reducing agent. Suitable amino protecting groups are well known in the art and include carbobenzoxy, t-butoxycarbonyl, and the like. A preferred amino protecting group is carbobenzoxy. A preferred N-protected chloroketone is N-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone. A preferred reducing agent is sodium borohydride. The reduction reaction is conducted at a temperature of from -10° C. to about 25° C., preferably at about 0° C., in a suitable solvent system such as, for example, tetrahydrofuran, and the like. The N-protected chloroketones are commercially available, e.g., such as from Bachem, Inc., Torrance, Calif. Alternatively, the chloroketones can be prepared by the procedure set forth in S. J. Fittkau, J. Prakt. Chem., 315, 1037 (1973), and subsequently N-protected utilizing procedures which are well known in the art.

The halo alcohol can be utilized directly, as described below, or, preferably, is then reacted, preferably at room temperature, with a suitable base in a suitable solvent system to produce an N-protected amino epoxide of the formula: ##STR6## wherein P and R² are as defined above. Suitable solvent systems for preparing the amino epoxide include ethanol, methanol, isopropanol, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, and the like including mixtures thereof. Suitable bases for producing the epoxide from the reduced chloroketone include potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium t-butoxide, DBU and the like. A preferred base is potassium hydroxide.

Alternatively, a protected amino epoxide can be prepared starting with an L-amino acid which is reacted with a suitable amino-protecting group in a suitable solvent to produce an amino-protected L-amino acid ester of the formula: ##STR7## wherein P¹ and p² independently represent hydrogen, benzyl and amino-protecting groups (as defined above), provided that P¹ and p² are not both hydrogen; P³ represents carboxyl-protecting group, e.g., methyl, ethyl, benzyl, tertiary-butyl and the like; and R² is as defined above.

The amino-protected L-amino acid ester is then reduced, to the corresponding alcohol. For example, the amino-protected L-amino acid ester can be reduced with diisobutylaluminum hydride at -78° C. in a suitable solvent such as toluene. The resulting alcohol is then converted, for example, by way of a Swern oxidation, to the corresponding aldehyde of the formula: ##STR8## wherein P¹, p² and R² are as defined above. Thus, a dichloromethane solution of the alcohol is added to a cooled (-75° to -68° C.) solution of oxalyl chloride in dichloromethane and DMSO in dichloromethane and stirred for 35 minutes.

The aldehyde resulting from the Swern oxidation is then reacted with a halomethyllithium reagent, which reagent is generated in situ by reacting an alkyllithium or arylithium compound with a dihalomethane represented by the formula X¹ CH₂ X² wherein X¹ and X² independently represent I, Br or Cl. For example, a solution of the aldehyde and chloroiodomethane in THF is cooled to -78° C. and a solution of n-butyllithium in hexane is added. The resulting product is a mixture of diastereomers of the corresponding amino-protected epoxides of the formulas: ##STR9## The diastereomers can be separated e.g., by chromatography, or, alternatively, once reacted in subsequent steps the diastereomeric products can be separated. For compounds having the (S) stereochemistry, a D-amino acid can be utilized in place of the L-amino acid.

The amino epoxide is then reacted, in a suitable solvent system, with an equal amount, or preferably an excess of, a desired amine of the formula:

    R.sup.3 NH.sub.2

wherein R³ is hydrogen-or is as defined above. The reaction can be conducted over a wide range of temperatures, e.g., from about 10° C. to about 100° C., but is preferably, but not necessarily, conducted at a temperature at which the solvent begins to reflux. Suitable solvent systems include protic, non-protic and dipolar aprotic organic solvents such as, for example, those wherein the solvent is an alcohol, such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, and the like, ethers such as tetrahydrofuran, dioxane and the like, and toluene, N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, and mixtures thereof. A preferred solvent is isopropanol. Exemplary amines corresponding to the formula R³ NH₂ include benzyl amine, isobutylamine, n-butyl amine, isopentyl amine, isoamylamine, cyclohexanemethyl amine, naphthylene methyl amine and the like. The resulting product is a 3-(N-protected amino)-3-(R²)-1-(NHR³)-propan-2-ol derivative (hereinafter referred to as an amino alcohol) can be represented by the formulas: ##STR10## wherein P, P¹, P², R² and R³ are as described above. Alternatively, a haloalcohol can be utilized in place of the amino epoxide.

The amino alcohol defined above is then reacted in a suitable solvent with a sulfamoyl halide, e.g. sulfamoyl chloride (R⁴ R⁵ NSO₂ Cl or R⁴ HNSO₂ Cl) or sulfamoyl anhydride in the presence of an acid scavenger. Suitable solvents in which the reaction can be conducted include methylene chloride, tetrahydrofuran. Suitable acid scavengers include triethylamine, pyridine. The resulting sulfamic acid derivative can be represented, depending on the epoxide utilized, by the formulas; ##STR11## wherein P, P¹, P², R², R³, R⁴, R⁷, R⁷ ', R⁸ and n are as defined above. These intermediates are useful for preparing inhibitor compounds of the present invention and are also active inhibitors of retroviral proteases.

The sulfamoyl halides of the formula R⁸ (CH₂)_(n) C(R⁷ R⁷ ')! R⁴ !NSO₂ Cl, wherein R⁴ is other than hydrogen, can be prepared by reacting an amine of the formula R⁸ (CH₂)_(n) C(R⁷ R⁷ ')! R⁴ !NH, preferably as a salt such as the hydrochloride, with sulfuryl chloride in a suitable solvent such as acetonitrile. The reaction mixture is gradually warmed to reflux temperature and maintained at the reflux temperature until the reaction is complete. Alternatively, sulfamoyl halides of the formula R⁸ (CH₂)_(n) C(R⁷ R⁷ ')! R⁴ !NSO₂ Cl can be prepared by reacting an amine of the fomula R⁸ (CH₂)_(n) C(R⁷ R⁷ ')! R⁴ !NH with sulfuryl chloride in boiling MeCN as disclosed in Matier et al., J. Med. Chem., 15, No. 5, p.538 (1972).

Following preparation of the sulfonyl urea derivative, the amino protecting group P or P¹ and P² amino protecting groups are removed under conditions which will not affect the remaining portion of the molecule. These methods are well known in the art and include acid hydrolysis, hydrogenolysis and the like. A preferred method involves removal of the protecting group, e.g., removal of a carbobenzoxy group, by hydrogenolysis utilizing palladium on carbon in a suitable solvent system such as an alcohol, acetic acid, and the like or mixtures thereof. Where the protecting group is a t-butoxycarbonyl group, it can be removed utilizing an inorganic or organic acid, e.g., HCl or trifluoroacetic acid, in a suitable solvent system, e.g., dioxane or methylene chloride. The resulting product is the amine salt derivative. Where the protecting group is a benzyl radical, it can be removed by hydrogenolysis. Following neutralization of the salt, the amine is then reacted with a sulfone of the formula ##STR12## wherein R, R¹, R²⁰, R²¹ and t are as defined above. The sulfone is prepared according to the following procedure to produce the antiviral compounds of the present invention having the formula: ##STR13## wherein R, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁷, R⁷ ', R⁸, R²⁰, R²¹, n and t are as defined above. The sulfone is prepared according to the following procedure.

A mercaptan of the formula RSH is reacted with a substituted methacrylate of the formula: ##STR14## by way of a Michael Addition. The Michael Addition is conducted in a suitable solvent and in the presence of a suitable base, to produce the corresponding thiol derivative represented by the formula: ##STR15## wherein R and R¹ represent radicals defined above; R²⁰ and R²¹ represent hydrogen and radicals as defined for R¹ ; and R²² represents a carboxyl protecting group such as methyl, ethyl, benzyl, t-butyl or the like. Suitable solvents in which the Michael Addition can be conducted include protic, non-protic and dipolar aprotic organic solvents, e.g., alcohols such as, for example, methanol, ethanol, butanol and the like, as well as ethers, e.g., THF, and acetonitrile, DMF, DMSO, and the like, including mixtures thereof. Suitable bases include Group I metal alkoxides such as, for example sodium methoxide, sodium ethoxide, sodium butoxide and the like as well as Group I metal hydrides, such as sodium hydride, including mixtures thereof.

The thiol derivative is converted into the corresponding sulfone or sulfoxide of the formula: ##STR16## by oxidizing the thiol derivative with a suitable oxidation agent in a suitable solvent. Suitable oxidation agents include, for example, hydrogen peroxide, sodium meta-perborate, oxone (potassium peroxy monosulfate), meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid, periodic acid and the like, including mixtures thereof. Suitable solvents include acetic acid (for sodium meta-perborate) and, for other peracids, ethers such as THF and dioxane, and acetonitrile, DMF and the like, including mixtures thereof.

The sulfone is then converted to the corresponding free acid of the formula: ##STR17## One method involves utilizing a suitable base, e.g., lithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, and the like, including mixtures thereof, in a suitable solvent, such as, for example, THF, water, acetonitrile, DMF, DMSO, methylene chloride-and the like, including mixtures thereof. Other methods which can be used for deprotection depend on the nature of R²². For example, when R²² is a tertiary-butyl group, one can use a strong acid such as hydrochloric acid or trifluoroacetic acid. When R²² is a benzyl group, it can be removed via hydrogenolysis.

The free acid is then coupled, utilizing procedures well known in the art, to the sulfonamide derivative, or analog thereof, of an amino alcohol which is described above. The resulting product is a compound represented by Formula I.

Alternatively, one can couple the sulfonamide isostere to the commercially available acid, ##STR18## remove the thioacetyl group with a suitable base, such as hydroxide, or an amine, such as ammonia, and then react the resulting thiol with an alkylating agent, such as an alkyl halide, tosylate or mesylate to afford compounds at the following structure: ##STR19##

The sulfur can then be oxidized to the corresponding sulfone or sulfoxide using suitable oxidizing agents, as described above, to afford the desired compounds of the following structure: ##STR20##

Alternatively, to prepare compounds of Formula I, a substituted methacrylate of the formula: ##STR21## wherein L represents a leaving group as previously defined, R³⁵ and R³⁶ represent hydrogen and radicals as defined for R¹ ; and R³⁷ represents alkyl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl and cycloalkylalkyl radicals, is reacted with a suitable sulfonating agent, such as, for example, a sulfinic acid represented by the formula RSO₂ M, wherein R represents radicals as defined above and M represents a metal adapted to form a salt of the acid, e.g., sodium, to produce the corresponding sulfone represented by the formula: ##STR22## wherein R, R³⁵, R³⁶ and R³⁷ are as defined above. The sulfone is then hydrolyzed in the presence of a suitable base, such as lithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide and the like, to the compound represented by the formula: ##STR23## wherein R, R³⁵ and R³⁶ represent radicals as defined above. The resulting compound is then asymmetrically hydrogenated utilizing an asymmetric hydrogenation catalyst such as, for example, a ruthenium-BINAP complex, to produce the reduced product, substantially enriched in the more active isomer, represented by the formula: ##STR24## wherein R, R³⁵ and R³⁶ represent radicals as defined above. Where the more active isomer has the R-stereochemistry, a RU(R-BINAP) asymmetric hydrogenation catalyst can be utilized. Conversely, where the more active isomer has the S-sterochemistry, a Ru(S-BINAP) catalyst can be utilized. Where both isomers are active, or where it is desired to have a mixture of the two diastereomers, a hydrogenation catalyst such as platinum, or palladium, on carbon can be utilized to reduce the above compound. The reduced compound is then coupled to the sulfonamide isostere, as described above, to produce compounds of Formula II.

Alternatively, an acid or a derivative of an acid properly substituted with a leaving group (discussed above) can be treated with a Mercaptan and a base (see above) to provide an organic sulfide. Acid derivatives are defined above. The resulting sulfide can be oxidized to the corresponding sulfoxide or sulfone by methods previously discussed.

A preferred method to prepare 2(S)-methyl-3-(methylsulfonyl)propionic acid is as follows. Beginning with the commercially available compounds of the following structure; ##STR25## Where P³ is a protecting group for sulfur, preferably a benzoyl or acetyl, and P⁴ is either hydrogen or a carboxylic acid protecting group such as methyl, ethyl, tertiary-butyl, benzyl and the like. Preferably, P⁴ is tertiary-butyl. The sulfur protecting group P³ can be selectively removed using methods known to those skilled in the art. For example, where P3 is either benzoyl or acetyl, it can be removed by treatment with an inorganic base or an amine, preferably ammonia, in an appropriate solvent such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, toluene or tetrahydrofuran. The preferred solvent is methanol. This provides a compound of the following structure; ##STR26## which can be alkylated on the sulfur with a compound of the structure Where R is as defined above, and X is an appropriate leaving group, such as a halide (chloride, bromide, iodide), mesylate, tosylate or triflate. The reaction is performed in the presence of a suitable base, such as triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine, 1,8-diazabicyclo 5.4.0! undec-7-ene (DBu) and the like, in a suitable solvent such as toluene, tetrahydrofuran, or methylene chloride. The preferred base is DBU and the preferred solvent is toluene. Where R is a methyl group, RX can be methyl chloride, methyl bromide, methyl iodide, or dimethyl sulfate. Preferably RX is methyl iodide. The product of the reaction is a compound of the structure; ##STR27## The sulfur can then be oxidized to either the sulfoxide or sulfone using methods known to those skilled in the art. Suitable oxidizing agents are meta-chloroperbenzoic acid, hydrogen peroxide, sodium perborate and the like. Appropriate solvents are methylene chloride, toluene, acetic acid, propionic acid and the like. The preferred method is using hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate in acetic acid. The sulfone product has the structure; ##STR28## The carboxylic acid protecting group P⁴ can then be removed using methods well known to those in the art. For example, when P⁴ is a tertiary-butyl group, it can be removed by treatment with an acid, such as hydrochloric acid or trifluoracetic acid. The preferred method is using 4N hydrochloric acid in dioxane. This provides the desired final compound of the structure; ##STR29##

Alternatively, the protected amino alcohol from the epoxide opening can be further protected at the newly introduced amino group with a protecting group P' which is not removed when the first protecting P is removed. One skilled in the art can choose appropriate combinations of P and P'. One suitable choice is when P is Cbz and P' is Boc. The resulting compound represented by the formula: ##STR30## can be carried through the remainder of the synthesis to provide a compound of the formula: ##STR31## and the new protecting group P' is selectively removed, and following deprotection, the resulting amine reacted to form the sulfamic acid derivative as described above. This selective deprotection and conversion to the sulfamic acid can be accomplished at either the end of the synthesis or at any appropriate intermediate step if desired.

It is contemplated that for preparing compounds of the Formulas having R⁶, the compounds can be prepared following the procedure set forth above and, prior to coupling the sulfonamide derivative or analog thereof, e.g. coupling to the amino acid PNH(CH₂)_(t) CH(R¹)COOH, carried through a procedure referred to in the art as reductive amination. Thus, a sodium cyanoborohydride and an appropriate aldehyde or ketone can be reacted with the sulfonamide derivative compound or appropriate analog at room temperature in order to reductively aminate any of the compounds of Formulas I-IV. It is also contemplated that where R³ of the amino alcohol intermediate is hydrogen, the inhibitor compounds of the present invention wherein R³ is alkyl, or other substituents wherein the α-C contains at least one hydrogen, can be prepared through reductive amination of the final product of the reaction between the amino alcohol and the amine or at any other stage of the synthesis for preparing the inhibitor compounds.

Contemplated equivalents of the general formulas set forth above for the antiviral compounds and derivatives as well as the intermediates are compounds otherwise corresponding thereto and having the same general properties, such as tautomers thereof as well as compounds, wherein one or more of the various R groups are simple variations of the substituents as defined therein, e.g., wherein R is a higher alkyl group than that indicated. In addition, where a substituent is designated as, or can be, a hydrogen, the exact chemical nature of a substituent which is other than hydrogen at that position, e.g., a hydrocarbyl radical or a halogen, hydroxy, amino and the like functional group, is not critical so long as it does not adversely affect the overall activity and/or synthesis procedure.

The chemical reactions described above are generally disclosed in terms of their broadest application to the preparation of the compounds of this invention. Occasionally, the reactions may not be applicable as described to each compound included within the disclosed scope. The compounds for which this occurs will be readily recognized by those skilled in the art. In all such cases, either the reactions can be successfully performed by conventional modifications known to those skilled in the art, e.g., by appropriate protection of interfering groups, by changing to alternative conventional reagents, by routine modification of reaction conditions, and the like, or other reactions disclosed herein or otherwise conventional, will be applicable to the preparation of the corresponding compounds of this invention. In all preparative methods, all starting materials are known or readily preparable from known starting materials.

Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can, using the preceding description, utilize the present invention to its fullest extent. The following preferred specific embodiments are, therefore, to be construed as merely illustrative, and not limitative of the remainder of the disclosure in any way whatsoever.

All reagents were used as received without purification. All proton and carbon NMR spectra were obtained on either a Varian VXR-300 or VXR-400 nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer.

The following Examples 1 through 9 illustrate preparation of intermediates. These intermediates are useful in preparing the inhibitor compounds of the present invention as illustrated below.

EXAMPLE 1 ##STR32## Preparation of N 3(S)-benzvloxvcarbonvlamino-2(R)-hvdroxv-4-ohenvlbutvl!-N-isoamylamine

Part A:

To a solution of 75.0 g (0.226 mol) of N-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone in a mixture of 807 mL of methanol and 807 mL of tetrahydrofuran at -2° C., was added 13.17 g (0.348 mol, 1.54 equiv.) of solid sodium borohydride over one hundred minutes. The solvents were removed under reduced pressure at 40° C. and the residue dissolved in ethyl acetate (approx. 1 L). The solution was washed sequentially with 1M potassium hydrogen sulfate, saturated sodium bicarbonate and then saturated sodium chloride solutions. After drying over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and filtering, the solution was removed under reduced pressure. To the resulting oil was added hexane (approx. 1 L) and the mixture warmed to 60° C. with swirling. After cooling to room temperature, the solids were collected and washed with 2 L of hexane. The resulting solid was recrystallized from hot ethyl acetate and hexane to afford 32.3 g (43% yield) of N-benzyloxycarbonyl-3(S)-amino-1-chloro-4-phenyl-2(S)-butanol, mp 150°-151° C. and M+Li⁺ =340.

Part B:

To a solution of 6.52 g (0.116 mol, 1.2 equiv.) of potassium hydroxide in 968 mL of absolute ethanol at room temperature, was added 32.3 g (0.097 mol) of N-CBZ-3(S)-amino-1-chloro-4-phenyl-2(S)-butanol. After stirring for fifteen minutes, the solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the solids dissolved in methylene chloride. After washing with water, drying over magnesium sulfate, filtering and stripping, one obtains 27.9 g of a white solid. Recrystallization from hot ethyl acetate and hexane afforded 22.3 g (77% yield) of N-benzyloxycarbonyl-3(S)-amino-1,2(S)-epoxy-4-phenylbutane, mp 102°-103° C. and MH⁺ 298.

Part C:

A solution of N-benzyloxycarbonyl 3(S)-amino-1,2-(S)-epoxy-4-phenylbutane (1.00 g, 3.36 mmol) and isoamylamine (4.90 g, 67.2 mmol, 20 equiv.) in 10 mL of isopropyl alcohol was heated to reflux for 1.5 hours. The solution was cooled to room temperature, concentrated in vacuo and then poured into 100 mL of stirring hexane whereupon the product crystallized from solution. The product was isolated by filtration and air dried to give 1.18 g, 95% of N= 3(S)-phenylmethylcarbamoyl)amino-2(R)-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyl!N- (3-methylbutyl)!amine mp 108.0°-109.5° C., MH⁺ m/z=371.

EXAMPLE 2 ##STR33## Preparation of N,N-dibenzyl-3(S)-amino-1,2-(S)-enoxy-4-phenylbutane

Step A:

A solution of L-phenylalanine (50.0 g, 0.302 mol), sodium hydroxide (24.2 g, 0.605 mol) and potassium carbonate (83.6 g, 0.605 mol) in water (500 ml) is heated to 97° C. Benzyl bromide (108.5 ml, 0.912 mol) is then slowly added (addition time ˜25 min). The mixture is then stirred at 97° C. for 30 minutes. The solution is cooled to room temperature and extracted with toluene (2×250 ml). The combined organic layers are then washed with water, brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to give an oil product. The crude product is then used in the next step without purification.

Step B:

The crude benzylated product of the above step is dissolved in toluene (750 ml) and cooled to -55° C. A 1.5M solution of DIBAL-H in toluene (443.9 ml, 0.666 mol) is then added at a rate to maintain the temperature between -55° to -50° C. (addition time--1 hour). The mixture is stirred for 20 minutes at -55° C. The reaction is quenched at -55° C. by the slow addition of methanol (37 ml). The cold solution is then poured into cold (5° C.) 1.5N HCl solution (1.8 L). The precipitated solid (approx. 138 g) is filtered off and washed with toluene. The solid material is suspended in a mixture of toluene (400 ml) and water (100 ml). The mixture is cooled to 5° C., treated with 2.5N NaOH (186 ml) and then stirred at room temperature until the solid is dissolved. The toluene layer is separated from the aqueous phase and washed with water and brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to a volume of 75 ml (89 g). Ethyl acetate (25 ml) and hexane (25 ml) are then added to the residue upon which the alcohol product begins to crystallize. After 30 min., an additional 50 ml hexane is added to promote further crystallization. The solid is filtered off and washed with 50 ml hexane to give approximately 35 g of material. A second crop of matrial can be isolated by refiltering the mother liquor. The solids are combined and recrystallized from ethyl acetate (20 ml) and hexane (30 ml) to give, in 2 crops, approximately 40 g (40% from L-phenylalanine) of analytically pure alcohol product. The mother liquors are combined and concentrated (34 g). The residue is treated with ethyl acetate and hexane which provides an additional 7 g (˜7% yield) of slightly impure solid product. Further optimization in the recovery from the mother liquor is probable.

Step C:

A solution of oxalyl chloride (8.4 ml, 0.096 mol) in dichloromethane (240 ml) is cooled to -74° C. A solution of DMSO (12.0 ml, 0.155 mol) in dichloromethane (50 ml) is then slowly added at a rate to maintain the temperature at -74° C. (addition time ˜1.25 hr). The mixture is stirred for 5 min. followed by addition of a solution of the alcohol (0.074 mol) in 100 ml of dichloromethane (addition time -20 min., temp. -75° C. to -68° C.). The solution is stirred at -78° C. for 35 minutes. Triethylamine (41.2 ml, 0.295 mol) is then added over 10 min. (temp. -78° to -68° C.) upon which the ammonium salt precipitated. The cold mixture is stirred for 30 min. and then water (225 ml) is added. The dichloromethane layer is separated from the aqueous phase and washed with water, brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. The residue is diluted with ethyl acetate and hexane and then filtered to further remove the ammonium salt. The filtrate is concentrated to give the desired aldehyde product. The aldehyde was carried on to the next step without purification.

Temperatures higher than -70° C. have been reported in the literature for the Swern oxidation. Other Swern modifications and alternatives to the Swern oxidations are also possible.

A solution of the crude aldehyde 0.074 mol and chloroiodomethane (7.0 ml, 0.096 mol) in tetrahydrofuran (285 ml) is cooled to -78° C. A 1.6M solution of n-butyllithium in hexane (25 ml, 0.040 mol) is then added at a rate to maintain the temperature at -75° C. (addition time--15 min.). After the first addition, additional chloroiodomethane (1.6 ml, 0.022 mol) is added again, followed by n-butyllithium (23 ml, 0.037 mol), keeping the temperature at -75° C. The mixture is stirred for 15 min. Each of the reagents, chloroiodomethane (0.70 ml, 0.010 mol) and n-butyllithium (5 ml, 0.008 mol) are added 4 more times over 45 min. at -75° C. The cooling bath is then removed and the solution warmed to 22° C. over 1.5 hr. The mixture is poured into 300 ml of saturated aq. ammonium chloride solution. The tetrahydrofuran layer is separated. The aqueous phase is extracted with ethyl acetate (1×300 ml). The combined organic layers are washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to give a b rown oil (27.4 g). The product could be used in the next step without purification. The desired diastereomer can be purified by recrystallization at a subsequent step.

Alternately, the product could be purified by chromatography.

EXAMPLE 3 ##STR34## Preparation of N 3(S)-benzyloxycarbonylamino-2(R)-hydroxy-4-phenyl!N-isobutylamine

A solution of N-benzyloxycarbonyl-3(S)-amino-1,2-(S)-epoxy-4-phenyl butane (50.0 g, 0.168 mol) and isobutylamine (246 g, 3.24 mol, 20 equivalents) in 650 mL of isopropyl alcohol was heated to reflux for 1.25 hours. The solution was cooled to room temperature, concentrated in vacuo and then poured into 1 L of stirring hexane whereupon the product crystallized from solution. The product was isolated by filtration and air dried to give 57.56 g, 92% of N 3(S) -benzyloxycarbonylamino-2(R)-hydroxy-4-phenyl!N-isobutylamine, mp 108.0°-109.5° C., MH+ m/z=371.

EXAMPLE 4 Preparation of Sulfamoyl Chlorides

Method A:

An amino acid ester hydrochloride (1 mmol) is suspended in a suitable solvent such as hexane, dichloromethane, toluene and the like, but most preferable acetonitrile. To the well stirred mixture is added sulfuryl chloride (3 mmol) in a suitable solvent, or neat, dropwise over several minutes. The reaction is allowed to stir at zero to reflux temperatures, preferable at reflux, for 1 to 48 hours, preferably for 24 hours. The solvent is removed and the residue triturated with a suitable solvent, such as hexane, pentane, toluene, but most preferably diethyl ether. The solvent is decanted and concentrated. The product may then be utilized as such or purified by distillation or in the case of solids recrystallized from appropriate solvents.

Method B:

An alpha-hydroxy ester (1 mmol) is dissolved in an appropriate solvent such as acetonitrile, dichloromethane, toluene and the like, but most preferable hexane. Chlorosulfonyl isocyanate (1 mmol) added neat or in a solvent, preferably in hexane, is added dropwise. The reaction is stirred from zero to reflux, preferably at reflux, for 5 minutes to several hours, preferably for 1 hour. The solvent is then removed and the residue used as such, or taken up in an appropriate solvent, expecially dichloromethane, and filtered to remove any impurities. The product may then be purified by distillation or in the case of solids recrystallized from appropriate solvents.

EXAMPLE 5 Preparation of Sulfamates

An amino alcohol as prepared in Example 3 (1 mmol) and a suitable base, such as triethylamine, pyridine, sodium carbonate, and the like, preferably diisopropylethylamine (1 mmol) are dissolved in a suitable solvent such as ether, chloroform, acetronitrile and the like, but preferably dichloromethane. The sulfamoyl chloride from part A or B of Example 4, neat or dissolved in an appropriate solvent, is added to the above solution. The reaction is stirred at zero to reflux temperatures, but preferably at room temperature for 1 to 48 hours. The product can be purified by silica gel chromatography or by an extractive workup followed by recrystallization.

EXAMPLE 6

Following the procedures of the previous Examples 1-5, the intermediate compounds set forth in

                  TABLE 1A                                                         ______________________________________                                          ##STR35##                                                                     R.sup.3            R.sup.4                                                     ______________________________________                                         isobutyl           CH.sub.3                                                    isoamyl            CH.sub.3                                                    p-F benzyl         CH.sub.3                                                    isobutyl           CH.sub.3                                                    isobutyl           CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                         isobutyl           CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                          isobutyl           C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                           isobutyl           C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                             ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 1B                                                         ______________________________________                                          ##STR36##                                                                     Entry          R.sup.4     R.sup.16                                            ______________________________________                                         1              CH.sub.3    CH.sub.3                                            2              H           CH.sub.3                                            3              H           (CH.sub.2).sub.3 CH.sub.3                           4              H           CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                  5              H           C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                   ______________________________________                                    

The following Examples 7-10 illustrate preparation of sulfonyl alkanoyl compounds which can be coupled to the intermediate compounds of Examples 1-6 to produce inhibitor compounds of the present invention.

EXAMPLE 7 ##STR37## Preparation of 2(S)-methyl-3-(methylsulfonyl)proionic Acid.

To a solution of 10 g of D-(-)-S-benzoyl-b-mercaptioisobutyric acid t-butyl ester in 20 mL of methanol was bubbled in gaseous ammonia at 0° C. The reaction was allowed to then warm to room temperature, stirred overnight and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting mixture of a solid (benzamide) and liquid was filtered to provide 5.21 g of a pale oil which then solidified. This was identified as 2(S)-methyl-3-mercaptopropionic acid t-butyl ester.

To a solution of 5.21 g of 2(S)-methyl-3-mercaptopropionic acid t-butyl ester in 75 mL of toluene at 0° C. was added 4.50 g of 1,8-diazabicyclo 5.40!undec-7-ene and 1.94 mL of methyl iodide. After stirring at room temperature for 2.5 hours, the volatiles were removed, ethyl acetate added, washed with dilute hydrochloric acid, water, brine, dried and concentrated to afford 2.82 g of a pale oil, identified as 2(S)-methyl-3-(thiomethyl)propionic acid t-butyl ester.

To a solution of 2.82 g of 2(S)-methyl-3-(thiomethyl)propionic acid t-butyl ester in 50 mL of acetic acid was added 5.58 g of sodium perborate and the mixture heated to 55° C. for 17 hours. The reaction was poured into water, extracted with methylene chloride, washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate, dried and concentrated to afford 2.68 g of 2(S)-methyl-3-(methylsulfonyl)propionic acid t-butyl ester as a white solid.

To 2.68 g of 2(S)-methyl-3-(methylsulfonyl)-propionic acid t-butyl ester was added 20 mL of 4N hydrochloric acid/dioxane and the mixture stirred at room temperature for 19 hours. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure to afford 2.18 g of crude product, which was recrystallized from ethyl acetate/hexane to yield 1.44 g of 2(S)-methyl-3-(methylsulfonyl)propionic acid as white crystals.

EXAMPLE 8

PART A:

A solution of methyl methacrylate (7.25 g, 72.5 mmol) and phenethyl mercaptan (10.0 g, 72.5 mmol) in 100 mL of methanol was cooled in an ice bath and treated with sodium methoxide (100 mg, 1.85 mmol). The solution was stirred under nitrogen for 3 h and then concentrated in vacuo to give an oil that was taken up in ether and washed with 1N aqueous potassium hydrogen sulfate, saturated aqueous sodium chloride, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to give 16.83 g, 97.5% of methyl 2-(R,S)-methyl-4-thia-6-phenyl hexanoate as an oil. TLC on SiO₂ eluting with 20:1 hexane:ethyl acetate (v:v) R_(f) =0.41. Alternatively, one can use methyl 3-bromo-2-methyl propionate in place of methyl methacrylate.

PART B:

A solution of methyl 2-(R,S)-methyl-4-thia-6-phenyl hexanoate (4.00 g, 16.8 mmol) in 100 mL of dichloromethane was stirred at room temperature and treated portion wise with meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (7.38 g, 39.2 mmol) over approximately 40 m. The solution was stirred at room temperature for 16 h and then filtered and the filterate washed with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate, 1N sodium hydroxide, saturated aqueous sodium chloride, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated to give 4.50 g, 99% of desired sulfone. The unpurified sulfone was dissolved in 100 mL of tetrahydrofuran and treated with a solution of lithium hydroxide (1.04 g, 24.5 mmol) in 40 mL of water. The solution was stirred at room temperature for 2 m and then concentrated in vacuo. The residue was then acidified with 1N aqueous potassium hydrogen sulfate to pH=1 and then extracted three times with ethyl acetate. The combined ethyl acetate solution was washed with saturated aqueous sodium chloride, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to give a white solid. The solid was taken up in boiling ethyl acetate/hexane and allowed to stand undisturbed whereupon white needles formed that were isolated by filtration and air dried to give 3.38 g, 79% of 2-(R,S)-methyl-3(β-phenethylsulfonyl)-propionic acid, mp 91°-93° C.

PART C:

A solution of 2-(R,S)-methyl-3(β-phenethylsulfonyl)-propionic acid (166.1 mg, 0.65 mmol), N-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBT) (146.9 mg, 0.97 mmol), and 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) (145.8 mg, 0.75 mmol) in 4 mL of anhydrous dimethylformamide (DMF) cooled to 0° C. and stirred under nitrogen for 0.5 h. This solution is then treated with a desired sulfonamide isostere and stirred at room temperature for 16 h. The solution is poured into 30 mL of 60% saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution. The aqueous solution is then decanted from the organic residue. The organic residue is taken up in dichloromethane and washed with 10% aqueous citric acid, brine, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. Flash chromatography of the mixture on silica gel eluting with 1:1 hexane:ethyl acetate can be utilized and will afford the separated diastereomers.

EXAMPLE 9

PART A:

A solution of methyl 2-(bromomethyl)-acrylate (26.4 g, 0.148 mol) in 100 mL of methanol was treated with sodium methanesulfinate (15.1 g, 0.148 mol) portion wise over 10 m at room temperature. The solution was then stirred at room temperature for a period of 1.25 h and the solution concentrated in vacuo. The residue was then taken up in water and extracted four times with ethyl acetate. The combined ethyl acetate solution was washed with saturated sodium chloride, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to give a white solid, 20.7 g which was taken up in boiling acetone/methyl tert-butyl ether and allowed to stand whereupon crystals of pure methyl 2-(methylsulfonylmethyl) acrylate 18.0 g, 68% formed, mp 65-68 0° C.

PART B:

A solution of methyl 2-(methylsulfonylmethyl) acrylate (970 mg, 5.44 mmol) in 15 mL of tetrahydrofuran was treated with a solution of lithium hydroxide (270 mg, 6.4 mmol) in 7 mL of water. The solution was stirred at room temperature for 5 m and then acidified to pH=1 with 1N aqueous potassium hydrogen sulfate and the solution extracted three times with ethyl acetate. The combined ethyl acetate solution was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated to give 793 mg, 89% of 2-(methylsulfonylmethyl) acrylic acid, mp 147-149 0° C.

PART C:

A solution of 2-(methylsulfonylmethyl) acrylic acid (700 mg, 4.26 mmol) in 20 mL of methanol was charged into a Fisher-Porter bottle along with 10% palladium on carbon catalyst under a nitrogen atmosphere. The reaction vessel was sealed and flushed five times with nitrogen and then five times with hydrogen. The pressure was maintained at 50 psig for 16 h and then the hydrogen was replaced with nitrogen and the solution filtered through a pad of celite to remove the catalyst and the filterate concentrated in vacuo to give 682 mg 96% of 2-(R,S)-methyl-3-methylsulfonyl propionic acid.

PART D:

A solution of 2-(R,S)-methyl-3(methylsulfonyl) propionic acid (263.5 mg, 1.585 mmol), N-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBT) (322.2 mg, 2.13 mmol), and 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) (339.1 mg, 1.74 mmol) in 4 mL of anhydrous dimethylformamide (DMF) is cooled to 0° C. and stirred under nitrogen for 0.5 h. This solution is then treated with a desired sulfonamide and stirred at room temperature for 16 h. The solution is poured into 60 mL of 60% saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution. The aqueous solution is then decanted from the organic residue. The organic residue is taken up in dichloromethane and washed with 10% aqueous citric acid, brine, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to give the desired product.

EXAMPLE 10 Preparation of Sulfone Inhibitors From L-(+)-S-acetvl-β-mercaptoisobutvric Acid

PART A:

A round-bottomed flask is charged with the desired sulfonamide isostere (2.575 mmol), for example, the amine from Example 3, Part C, can be coupled to L-(+)-S-acetyl-β-mercapto butyric acid in the presence of 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) (339.1 mg, 1.74 mmol), in 10 mL of CH₂ Cl₂ and is allowed to stir at room temperature for 16 h. The solution is concentrated in vacuo and the residue taken up in ethyl acetate, washed with 1N KHSO4 sat. aq. NaHCO₃, brine, dried over anhydrous MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated to give an oil which can be purified by radial chromatography on SiO₂ eluting with ethyl acetate to give the pure product.

PART B:

A solution of the product of Part A (0.85 mmol) in 10 mL of methanol is treated with anhydrous ammonia for ca. 1 m at 0° C. The solution is stirred at that temperature for 16 h and then concentrated in vacuo to give the desired product that can be used directly in the next step without further purification.

PART C:

A solution of the product of Part B (0.841 mmol) in 10 mL of dry toluene under nitrogen is treated in rapid succession with 1,8-diazabicyclo 5.4.0!undec-7-ene, (DBU), (128.1 mg. 0.841 mmol) and iodomethane (119.0 mg, 0.841 mmol). After 0.5 h at room temperature the reaction is diluted with ethyl acetate washed with 1N KHS₄, sat. aq. NaHCO₃, brine. After the solution is dried over anhydrous MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated in vacuo the desired product is obtained and can be used directly in the next step.

PART D:

A solution of the product of Part C (0.73 mmol) and sodium perborate (500 mg, 3.25 mmol) in 30 mL of glacial acetic acid is warmed to 55° C. for 16 h. The solution is conentrated in vacuo and then the residue is taken up in ethyl acetate, washed with water, sat. aq. NaHCO₃, brine, dried over anhydrous MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated to give the desired product.

Representative sulfones prepared according to the above general procedures are shown in Table 2.

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                          ##STR38##                                                                     Entry              R                                                           ______________________________________                                         1                  CH.sub.3                                                    2                  PhCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2                                         3                  Ph                                                          ______________________________________                                    

General Procedure for Coupling Sulfonyl Alkanoyl Compounds to Sulfamic Acid Derivatives

A mixture of the sulfonyl alkanoyl compound (approximately 1 mmol), N-hydroxybenzotriazole (1.5 mmol), and 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) (1.2 mmol) is dissolved in a suitable solvent such as DMF and allowed to react for about 30 min. at 0° C. The sulfamic acid derivative compound (1.05 mmol) is dissolved in DMF, added to the above mixture and stirred at room temperature for a period of time sufficient for the reaction to take place. The solution is then poured into saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ and extracted with, for example, ethyl acetate. The extracts are washed, dried, filtered and concentrated. The resulting material is then crystallized from a suitable solvent or solvent mixture such as hexanes and ethyl acetate to produce the product.

A representative compound prepared according to these general procedures is shown in the following

EXAMPLE 11

N 3(s)-benzyloxycarbonylamino-2(R)-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyl!-N-isobutylamine (370 mg. 1.0 mmole), prepared as in Example 3, is mixed with DIEA (280 μL, 2.0 mmoles) and 1.0 mmole of the sulfamoyl chloride derivative of methyl aminoisobutyrate (2mmol) in a 100 mL round bottomed flask equipped with a reflux condenser, nitrogen inlet, and magnetic stir bar. The slurry is warmed to reflux and maintained at this temperature for about 1 hour or is stirred at room temperature for about two days.

A solution of this product (1 mmole) containing 20 mL of methanol and 5 mL of acetic acid is hydrogenated over 10% palladium on carbon (80 mg) for 6h.

The free amine (0.2 mmoles) is then coupled with 2(S)-methyl-3-(methylsulfonyl)propionicacid (0.3 mmoles) in the presence of N-hydroxybenzotriazole (0.3 mmoles) and EDC (0.3 mmoles) to yield product.

Utilizing the procedures set forth above, the compounds shown in Tables 3-10 could be prepared. Thus, utilizing the intermediates of Examples 1-6 and coupling such intermediates to the sulfonyl alkanoyl compounds of Examples 7-10 according to the procedure illustrated by Example 11, the compounds shown in Tables 3-10 could be prepared.

                                      TABLE 3                                      __________________________________________________________________________      ##STR39##                                                                     Entry No.                                                                            R.sup.3        R.sup.4      R.sup.16                                     __________________________________________________________________________     1     CH.sub.3       n-Butyl      CH.sub.3                                     2     i-Butyl        CH.sub.3     C.sub.6 H.sub.5                              3     i-Butyl        n-Butyl      CH.sub.3                                     4     i-Butyl        n-Butyl      H                                            5     i-Propyl       n-Butyl      H                                            6     i-Propyl       n-Butyl      CH.sub.3                                     7     C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                               n-Butyl      H                                                   ##STR40##     n-Butyl      H                                            9                                                                                     ##STR41##     n-Butyl      CH.sub.3                                     10                                                                                    ##STR42##     n-Butyl      H                                            11                                                                                    ##STR43##     n-Butyl      CH.sub.3                                     12    i-Butyl        n-Propyl     CH.sub.3                                     13    i-Butyl        CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                 CH.sub.3                                     14                                                                                    ##STR44##     n-Butyl      CH.sub.3                                     15                                                                                    ##STR45##     i-Propyl     CH.sub.3                                     16                                                                                    ##STR46##     CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                        CH.sub.3                                     17    i-Butyl        CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.3                                     18    i-Butyl        CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                          CH.sub.3                                     19    i-Butyl                                                                                        ##STR47##   CH.sub.3                                     20                                                                             Butyl                                                                                 ##STR48##     H                                                         21                                                                                    ##STR49##     (CH.sub.2).sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                         CH.sub.3                                     22    (CH.sub.2).sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                           CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                          CH.sub.3                                     23    i-Butyl        CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                          H                                            24    i-Butyl        C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.3                                     25    i-Butyl        C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                           H                                            26                                                                                    ##STR50##     C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.3                                     27                                                                                    ##STR51##     C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                           H                                            28    (CH.sub.2).sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                           C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                           H                                            29    (CH.sub.2).sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                           C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.3                                     30    CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                      C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.3                                     31    CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                      C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                           H                                            32    (CH.sub.2).sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                              C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.3                                     33    (CH.sub.2).sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                              C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                           H                                            34    n-Butyl        C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                           H                                            35    n-Pentyl       C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.3                                     36    n-Hexyl        C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.3                                     37                                                                                    ##STR52##     C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.3                                     38    CH.sub.2 C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                    C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.3                                     39    CH.sub.2 C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                    C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                           H                                            40                                                                                    ##STR53##     C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                           H                                            41    CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5 OCH.sub.3 (para)                                                     C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                           H                                            42                                                                                    ##STR54##     C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                           H                                            43                                                                                    ##STR55##     C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                           H                                            44    (CH.sub.2).sub.2 C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                            C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.3                                     45    (CH.sub.2).sub.2 C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                            C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                           H                                            46    (CH.sub.2).sub.4 OH                                                                           C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.3                                     47    (CH.sub.2).sub.4 OH                                                                           C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                           H                                            48                                                                                    ##STR56##     C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                           H                                            49                                                                                    ##STR57##     C(CH.sub.3).sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.3                                     50    CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                   C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                             CH.sub.3                                     51    CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                   C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                             H                                            52    CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                   C.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                                             CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                  53    CH.sub.2 Ph    Ph           H                                            54                                                                                    ##STR58##     Ph           H                                            55                                                                                    ##STR59##     Ph           H                                            56                                                                                    ##STR60##     Ph           H                                            57                                                                                    ##STR61##     Ph           H                                            58                                                                                    ##STR62##     Ph           H                                            59    CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                           Ph           H                                            60                                                                                    ##STR63##     Ph           H                                            61                                                                                    ##STR64##     Ph           H                                            62    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Ph                                                                          Ph           H                                            63    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH                                                        Ph           H                                            64    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                           Ph           H                                            65                                                                                    ##STR65##     Ph           H                                            66    CH.sub.3       Ph           H                                            67    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 SCH.sub.3                                                          Ph           H                                            68    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 S(O).sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                Ph           H                                            69    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                  ##STR66##   H                                            70    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                           ##STR67##   H                                            71    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                          CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                  H                                            72    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                 CH.sub.3     H                                            73    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                           ##STR68##   H                                            74    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                           ##STR69##   H                                            75    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                           ##STR70##   H                                            76    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                           ##STR71##   H                                            77    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                           ##STR72##   H                                            78    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                           ##STR73##   H                                            79    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                           ##STR74##   H                                            80    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                           ##STR75##   H                                            81    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                           ##STR76##   H                                            82    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                           ##STR77##   H                                            83    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                           ##STR78##   H                                            84    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                           ##STR79##                                                85    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                           ##STR80##   H                                            86    CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                    ##STR81##   H                                            87    CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                    ##STR82##   H                                            88    CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                    ##STR83##   H                                            89    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                     ##STR84##   H                                            90    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                            ##STR85##   H                                            91    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                     ##STR86##   H                                            92    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                     ##STR87##   H                                            93    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                     ##STR88##   H                                            94    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                     ##STR89##   H                                            __________________________________________________________________________

                  TABLE 4                                                          ______________________________________                                          ##STR90##                                                                     Entry         R.sup.1        R.sup.16                                          ______________________________________                                         1             CH.sub.2 SO.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                    methyl                                            2             (R)CH(OH)CH.sub.3                                                                             ethyl                                             3             CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                            ethyl                                             4             (R,S)CH.sub.2 SOCH.sub.3                                                                      propyl                                            5             CH.sub.2 SO.sub.2 NH.sub.2                                                                    methyl                                            6             CH.sub.2 SCH.sub.3                                                                            ethyl                                             7             CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                   ethyl                                             8             CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 C(O)NH.sub.2                                                                ethyl                                             9             (S)CH(OH)CH.sub.3                                                                             ethyl                                             10            CH.sub.2 C CH  ethyl                                             ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 5                                                          ______________________________________                                          ##STR91##                                                                     Entry            R.sup.2                                                       ______________________________________                                         1                n-Bu                                                          2                cyclohexylmethyl                                              3                n-Bu                                                          4                n-Bu                                                          5                C.sub.6 H.sub.5 CH.sub.2                                      6                C.sub.6 H.sub.5 CH.sub.2                                      7                C.sub.6 H.sub.5 CH.sub.2                                      8                cyclohexylmethyl                                              9                n-Bu                                                          10               cyclohexylmethyl                                              11               C.sub.6 H.sub.5 CH.sub.2                                      12               2-naphthylmethyl                                              13               2-naphthylmethyl                                              14               2-naphthylmethyl                                              15               2-naphthylmethyl                                              16               p-F(C.sub.6 H.sub.4)CH.sub.2                                  17               p-F(C.sub.6 H.sub.4)CH.sub.2                                  18               p-F(C.sub.6 H.sub.4)CH.sub.2                                  19               p-F(C.sub.6 H.sub.4)CH.sub.2                                  20               C.sub.6 H.sub.5 CH.sub.2                                      21               C.sub.6 H.sub.5 CH.sub.2                                      22               C.sub.6 H.sub.5 CH.sub.2                                      23               C.sub.6 H.sub.5 CH.sub.2                                      ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 6                                                          ______________________________________                                          ##STR92##                                                                     Entry      R.sup.3       R.sup.16                                              ______________________________________                                         1          CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                  C(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                     2          CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                          ##STR93##                                            3          CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                          ##STR94##                                            4          CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                          ##STR95##                                            5          CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                          ##STR96##                                            ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 7                                                          ______________________________________                                          ##STR97##                                                                     Entry           R                                                              ______________________________________                                         1               CH.sub.3                                                       2               CH.sub.3 CH.sub.2                                              3               CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2                                     4               PhCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2                                            5               PhCH.sub.2                                                     6               Ph                                                             7               (CH.sub.3).sub.2 CH                                            8               HOCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2                                                             ##STR98##                                                     10              CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                            ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 8                                                          ______________________________________                                          ##STR99##                                                                     n    R.sup.3          R.sup.8                                                  ______________________________________                                         0    CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     CN                                                       0    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                             ##STR100##                                              1    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                             ##STR101##                                              1    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                            C(O)N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                    1    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH (CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                           CO.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                        2    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                             ##STR102##                                                    ##STR103##                                                                                      ##STR104##                                              1                                                                                    ##STR105##                                                                                      ##STR106##                                              0    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                             ##STR107##                                                    ##STR108##                                                                                      ##STR109##                                              1                                                                                    ##STR110##                                                                                      ##STR111##                                              1    CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     OH                                                       1                                                                                    ##STR112##      OH                                                       2                                                                                    ##STR113##                                                                                      ##STR114##                                              2                                                                                    ##STR115##                                                                                      ##STR116##                                              1                                                                                    ##STR117##      SCH.sub.3                                                1                                                                                    ##STR118##      SO.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                        1                                                                                    ##STR119##      SO.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                        1    CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     CO.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                        1                                                                                    ##STR120##      CO.sub.2 H                                               1                                                                                    ##STR121##                                                                                      ##STR122##                                              1                                                                                    ##STR123##      SO.sub.2 Ph                                              1                                                                                    ##STR124##      SO.sub.2 Ph                                              1    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                             ##STR125##                                              2    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                            N(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                        2    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                             ##STR126##                                              1    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                             ##STR127##                                              1    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                             ##STR128##                                              1    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                             ##STR129##                                              1    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                             ##STR130##                                              1    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                            N(CH.sub.3)Ph                                            1    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                             ##STR131##                                              1    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                             ##STR132##                                              ______________________________________                                    

    ______________________________________                                          ##STR133##                                                                    n             R.sup.3 R.sup.16                                                 ______________________________________                                         0             isoamyl CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                        1             isoamyl CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                        2             isoamyl CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                        3             isoamyl CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                        ______________________________________                                    

    ______________________________________                                          ##STR134##                                                                    R.sup.1      R.sup.2       R.sup.3                                             ______________________________________                                         t-Butyl      Benzyl        p-Fluorobenzyl                                      i-Butyl      Benzyl        i-Amyl                                              i-Propyl     Benzyl        i-Amyl                                              Propargyl    Benzyl        i-Amyl                                              methyl       Benzyl        i-Amyl                                              methyl       Benzyl        Benzyl                                              methyl       Benzyl        n-Butyl                                             sec-Butyl    Benzyl        i-Amyl                                              C(CH.sub.3).sub.2 (SCH.sub.3)                                                               Benzyl        i-Amyl                                              t-Butyl      p-Fluorobenzyl                                                                               p-Methoxybenzyl                                     i-Butyl      p-Fluorobenzyl                                                                               i-Amyl                                              i-Propyl     p-Fluorobenzyl                                                                               i-Amyl                                              Propargyl    p-Fluorobenzyl                                                                               i-Amyl                                              ethyl        p-Fluorobenzyl                                                                               i-Amyl                                              ethyl        p-Fluorobenzyl                                                                               Benzyl                                              ethyl        p-Fluorobenzyl                                                                               n-Butyl                                             sec-Butyl    Benzyl        i-Amyl                                              C(CH.sub.3).sub.2 (SCH.sub.3)                                                               Benzyl        i-Amyl                                              t-Butyl      Cyclohexylmethyl                                                                             p-Fluorobenzyl                                      i-Butyl      Cyclohexylmethyl                                                                             i-Amyl                                              i-Propyl     Cyclohexylmethyl                                                                             i-Amyl                                              Propargyl    Cyclohexylmethyl                                                                             i-Amyl                                              methyl       Cyclohexylmethyl                                                                             i-Amyl                                              methyl       Cyclohexylmethyl                                                                             Benzyl                                              methyl       Cyclohexylmethyl                                                                             n-Butyl                                             sec-Butyl    Cyclohexylmethyl                                                                             i-Amyl                                              C(CH.sub.3).sub.2 (SCH.sub.3)                                                               Cyclohexylmethyl                                                                             i-Amyl                                              t-Butyl      n-Butyl       Cyclohexylmethyl                                    i-Butyl      n-Butyl       i-Amyl                                              i-Propyl     n-Butyl       i-Amyl                                              Propargyl    n-Butyl       i-Amyl                                              t-Butyl      n-Butyl       i-Amyl                                              t-Butyl      n-Butyl       Benzyl                                              t-Butyl      n-Butyl       n-Butyl                                             sec-Butyl    n-Butyl       i-Amyl                                              C(CH.sub.3).sub.2 (SCH.sub.3)                                                               n-Butyl       i-Amyl                                              ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 12

The compounds of the present invention are effective HIV protease inhibitors. Utilizing an enzyme assay as described below, the compounds set forth in the examples herein would be expected to inhibit the HIV enzyme. The enzyme method is described below. The substrate is 2-Ile-Nle-Phe(p-NO₂)-Gln-ArgNH₂. The positive control is MVT-101 (Miller, M. et al, Science, 246, 1149 (1989)! The assay conditions are as follows:

Assay buffer: 20 mM sodium phosphate, pH 6.4

20% glycerol

1 mM EDTA

1 mM DTT

0.1% CHAPS

The above described substrate is dissolved in DMSO, then diluted 10 fold in assay buffer. Final substrate concentration in the assay is 80 μM.

HIV protease is diluted in the assay buffer to a final enzyme concentration of 12.3 nanomolar, based on a molecular weight of 10,780.

The final concentration of DMSO is 14% and the final concentration of glycerol is 18%. The test compound is dissolved in DMSO and diluted in DMSO to 10×the test concentration; 10 μl of the enzyme preparation is added, the materials mixed and then the mixture is incubated at ambient temperature for 15 minutes. The enzyme reaction is initiated by the addition of 40 μl of substrate. The increase in fluorescence is monitored at 4 time points (0, 8, 16 and 24 minutes) at ambient temperature. Each assay is carried out in duplicate wells.

EXAMPLE 13

The effectiveness of the compounds can also be determined in a CEM cell assay.

The HIV inhibition assay method of acutely infected cells is an automated tetrazolium based calorimetric assay essentially that reported by Pauwles et al, J. Virol. Methods, 20, 309-321 (1988). Assays can be performed in 96-well tissue culture plates. CEM cells, a CD4+ cell line, were grown in RPMI-1640 medium (Gibco) supplemented with a 10% fetal calf serum and were then treated with polybrene (2μg/ml). An 80 μl volume of medium containing 1×104 cells is dispensed into each well of the tissue culture plate. To each well is added a 100 μl volume of test compound dissolved in tissue culture medium (or medium without test compound as a control) to achieve the desired final concentration and the cells are incubated at 37° C. for 1 hour. A frozen culture of HIV-1 is diluted in culture medium to a concentration of 5×104 TCID₅₀ per ml (TCID₅₀ = the dose of virus that infects 50% of cells in tissue culture), and a 20μL volume of the virus sample (containing 1000 TCID₅₀ of virus) is added to wells containing test compound and to wells containing only medium (infected control cells). Several wells receive culture medium without virus (uninfected control cells). Likewise, the intrinsic toxicity of the test compound is determined by adding medium without virus to several wells containing test compound. In summary, the tissue culture plates contain the following experiments:

    ______________________________________                                         Virus              Cells  Drug                                                 ______________________________________                                         1.      +              -      -                                                2.      +              +      -                                                3.      +              -      +                                                4.      +              +      +                                                ______________________________________                                    

In experiments 2 and 4 the final concentrations of test compounds are 1, 10, 100 and 500 μg/ml. Either azidothymidine (AZT) or dideoxyinosine (ddI) is included as a positive drug control. Test compounds are dissolved in DMSO and diluted into tissue culture medium so that the final DMSO concentration does not exceed 1.5% in any case. DMSO is added to all control wells at an appropriate concentration.

Following the addition of virus, cells are incubated at 37° C. in a humidified, 5% CO₂ atmosphere for 7 days. Test compounds could be added on days 0, 2 and 5 if desired. On day 7, post-infection, the cells in each well are resuspended and a 100μl sample of each cell suspension is removed for assay. A 20 μL volume of a 5 mg/ml solution of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) is added to each 100 μL cell suspension, and the cells are incubated for 4 hours at 270° C. in a 5% C₂ environment. During this incubation, MTT is metabolically reduced by living cells resulting in the production in the cell of a colored formazan product. To each sample is added 100 μl of 10% sodium dodecylsulfate in 0.01N HCl to lyse the cells, and samples are incubated overnight. The absorbance at 590 nm is determined for each sample using a Molecular Devices microplate reader. Absorbance values for each set of wells is compared to assess viral control infection, uninfected control cell response as well as test compound by cytotoxicity and antiviral efficacy.

The compounds of the present invention are effective antiviral compounds and, in particular, are effective retroviral inhibitors as shown above. Thus, the subject compounds are effective HIV protease inhibitors. It is contemplated that the subject compounds will also inhibit other retroviruses such as other lentiviruses in particular other strains of HIV, e.g. HIV-2, human T-cell leukemia virus, respiratory syncitial virus, simia immunodeficiency virus, feline leukemia virus, feline immuno-deficiency virus, hepadnavirus, cytomegalovirus and picornavirus. Thus, the subject compounds are effective in the treatment and/or proplylaxis of retroviral infections.

Compounds of the present invention can possess one or more asymmetric carbon atoms and are thus capable of existing in the form of optical isomers as well as in the form of racemic or nonracemic mixtures thereof. The optical isomers can be obtained by resolution of the racemic mixtures according to conventional processes, for example by formation of diastereoisomeric salts by treatment with an optically active acid or base. Examples of appropriate acids are tartaric, diacetyltartaric, dibenzoyltartaric, ditoluoyltartaric and camphorsulfonic acid and then separation of the mixture of diastereoisomers by crystallization followed by liberation of the optically active bases from these salts. A different process for separation of optical isomers involves the use of a chiral chromatography column optimally chosen to maximize the separation of the enantiomers. Still another available method involves synthesis of covalent diastereoisomeric molecules by reacting compounds of Formula I with an optically pure acid in an activated form or an optically pure isocyanate. The synthesized diastereoisomers can be separated by conventional means such as chromatography, distillation, crystallization or sublimation, and then hydrolyzed to deliver the enantiomerically pure compound. The optically active compounds of Formula I can likewise be obtained by utilizing optically active starting materials. These isomers may be in the form of a free acid, a free base, an ester or a salt.

The compounds of the present invention can be used in the form of salts derived from inorganic or organic acids. These salts include but are not limited to the following: acetate, adipate, alginate,. citrate, aspartate, benzoate, benzenesulfonate, bisulfate, butyrate, camphorate, camphorsulfonate, digluconate, cyclopentanepropionate, dodecylsulfate, ethanesulfonate, glucoheptanoate, glycerophosphate, hemisulfate, heptanoate, hexanoate, fumarate, hydrochloride, hydrobromide, hydroiodide, 2-hydroxy-ethanesulfonate, lactate, maleate, methanesulfonate, nicotinate, 2-naphthalenesulfonate, oxalate, palmoate, pectinate, persulfate, 3-phenylpro-pionate, picrate, pivalate, propionate, succinate, tartrate, thiocyanate, tosylate, mesylate and undecanoate. Also, the basic nitrogen-containing groups can be quaternized with such agents as lower alkyl halides, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl chloride, bromides, and iodides; dialkyl sulfates like dimethyl, diethyl, dibutyl, and diamyl sulfates, long chain halides such as decyl, lauryl, myristyl and stearyl chlorides, bromides and iodides, aralkyl halides like benzyl and phenethyl bromides, and others. Water or oil-soluble or dispersible products are thereby obtained.

Examples of acids which may be employed to form pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts include such inorganic acids as hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid and phosphoric acid and such organic acids as oxalic acid, maleic acid, succinic acid and citric acid. Other examples include salts with alkali metals or alkaline earth metals, such as sodium, potassium, calcium or magnesium or with organic bases.

Total daily dose administered to a host in single or divided doses may be in amounts, for example, from 0.001 to 10 mg/kg body weight daily and more usually 0.01 to 1 mg. Dosage unit compositions may contain such amounts of submultiples thereof to make up the daily dose.

The amount of active ingredient that may be combined with the carrier materials to produce a single dosage form will vary depending upon the host treated and the particular mode of administration.

The dosage regimen for treating a disease condition with the compounds and/or compositions of this invention is selected in accordance with a variety of factors, including the type, age, weight, sex, diet and medical condition of the patient, the severity of the disease, the route of administration, pharmacological considerations such as the activity, efficacy, pharmacokinetic and toxicology profiles of the particular compound employed, whether a drug delivery system is utilized and whether the compound is administered as part of a drug combination. Thus, the dosage regimen actually employed may vary widely and therefore may deviate from the preferred dosage regimen set forth above.

The compounds of the present invention may be administered orally, parenterally, by inhalation spray, rectally, or topically in dosage unit formulations containing conventional nontoxic pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, adjuvants, and vehicles as desired. Topical administration may also involve the use of transdermal administration such as transdermal patches or iontophoresis devices. The term parenteral as used herein includes subcutaneous injections, intravenous, intramuscular, intrasternal injection, or infusion techniques.

Injectable preparations, for example, sterile injectable aqueous or oleaginous suspensions may be formulated according to the known art using suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents. The sterile injectable preparation may also be a sterile injectable solution or suspension in a nontoxic parenterally acceptable diluent or solvent, for example, as a solution in 1,3-butanediol. Among the acceptable vehicles and solvents that may be employed are water, Ringer's solution, and isotonic sodium chloride solution. In addition, sterile, fixed oils are conventionally employed as a solvent or suspending medium. For this purpose any bland fixed oil may be employed including synthetic mono- or diglycerides. In addition, fatty acids such as oleic acid find use in the preparation of injectables.

Suppositories for rectal administration of the drug can be prepared by mixing the drug with a suitable nonirritating excipient such as cocoa butter and polyethylene glycols which are solid at ordinary temperatures but liquid at the rectal temperature and will therefore melt in the rectum and release the drug.

Solid dosage forms for oral administration may include capsules, tablets, pills, powders, and granules. In such solid dosage forms, the active compound may be admixed with at least one inert diluent such as sucrose lactose or starch. Such dosage forms may also comprise, as in normal practice, additional substances other than inert diluents, e.g., lubricating agents such as magnesium stearate. In the case of capsules, tablets, and pills, the dosage forms may also comprise buffering agents. Tablets and pills can additionally be prepared with enteric coatings.

Liquid dosage forms for oral administration may include pharmaceutically acceptable emulsions, solutions, suspensions, syrups, and elixirs containing inert diluents commonly used in the art, such as water. Such compositions may also comprise adjuvants, such as wetting agents, emulsifying and suspending agents, and sweetening, flavoring, and perfuming agents.

While the compounds of the invention can be administered as the sole active pharmaceutical agent, they can also be used in combination with one or more immunomodulators, antiviral agents or other antiinfective agents. For example, the compounds of the invention can be administered in combination with AZT, DDI, DDC or with glucosidase inhibitors, such as N-butyl-1-deoxynojirimycin or prodrugs thereof, for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of AIDS. When administered as a combination, the therapeutic agents can be formulated as separate compositions which are given at the same time or different times, or the therapeutic agents can be given as a single composition.

The foregoing is merely illustrative of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the disclosed compounds. Variations and changes which are obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope and nature of the invention which are defined in the appended claims.

From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention, and without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A compound represented by the formula ##STR135## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, thereof wherein: R represents alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkylalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, heteroalkyl, heteroaralkyl, aminocarbonylalkyl, aminoalkyl, aminoalkylcarbonylalkyl, alkylcarbonylalkyl, aryloxyalkylcarbonyl, alkyl and aralkoxycarbonylalkyl radicals, aminoalkyl, and mono- and disubstituted aminoalkyl, mono- and disubstituted aminocarbonylalkyl and mono- and disubstituted aminoalkanoylalkyl radicals wherein the substituents are selected from alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyalkyl radicals, or wherein said aminoalkyl, aminocarbonylalkyl and aminoalkanoylalkyl radicals are disubstituted, said substituents along with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a heterocycloalkyl or heteroaryl radical;R¹, R²⁰ and R²¹ independently represent hydrogen, --CH₂ SO₂ NH₂, --CH₂ CO₂ CH₃, --CO₂ CH₃, --CONH₂, --CH₂ C(O)NHCH₃, --C(CH₃)₂ (SH), --C(CH₃)₂ (SCH₃), --C(CH₃)₂ (S O!CH₃), --C(CH₃)₂ (S O!₂ CH₃), alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and cycloalkyl radicals, and amino acid side chains selected from asparagine, S-methyl cysteine and methionine and the sulfoxide (SO) and sulfone (SO₂) derivatives thereof, isoleucine, allo-isoleucine, alanine, leucine, tert-leucine, phenylalanine, ornithine, histidine, norleucine, glutamine, threonine, glycine, allo-threonine, serine, O-alkyl serine, aspartic acid, beta-cyanoalanine and valine side chains; R² represents alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl and aralkyl radicals, which radicals are optionally substituted with a group selected from alkyl and halogen radials, --NO₂, --CN, --CF₃, --OR⁹ and --SR⁹, wherein R⁹ represents hydrogen and alkyl radicals, and halogen radicals; R³ represents alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, heteroaryl, heterocycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, aminoalkyl and mono- and disubstituted aminoalkyl radicals, wherein said substituents are selected from alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, heterocycloalkyl, and heterocycloalkylalkyl radicals, or in the case of a disubstituted aminoalkyl radical, said substituents along with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a heterocycloalkyl or a heteroaryl radical, and thioalkyl, alkylthioalkyl and arylthioalkyl radicals and the sulfone and sulfoxide derivatives thereof; R⁴ represents hydrogen and radicals as defined by R³ ; R⁶ represents hydrogen and alkyl radicals; R⁷ and R⁷ ' independently represent hydrogen and radicals as defined for R³ ; amino acid side chains selected from the group consisting of valine, isoleucine, glycine, alanine, allo-isoleucine, asparagine, leucine, glutamine, and t-butylglycine; radicals represented by the formulas --C(O)R¹⁶, --CO₂ R¹⁶, --SO₂ R¹⁶, --SR¹⁶, --CONR¹⁶ R¹⁷, --CF₃ and --NR¹⁶ R¹⁷ ; or R⁷ and R⁷ ' together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a cycloalkyl radical; R⁸ represents cyano, hydroxyl, alkyl, alkoxy, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocycloalkyl and heteroaryl radicals and radicals represented by the formulas C(O)R¹⁶, CO₂ R¹⁶, SO₂ R¹⁶, SR¹⁶, CONR¹⁶ R¹⁷, CF₃ and NR¹⁶ R¹⁷ ; wherein R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ independently represent hydrogen and radicals as defined for R³, or R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ together with a nitrogen to which they are attached in the formula NR¹⁶ R¹⁷ represent heterocycloalkyl and heteroaryl radicals; each x independently represents 1 or 2; t represents either 0, 1 or 2; n represents an integer of from 0 to 6; and Y represents O, S and NR¹⁵ wherein R¹⁵ represents hydrogen and radicals as defined for R³.
 2. Compound represented by the formula ##STR136## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R represents alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl or aralkyl radicals;R¹ represents hydrogen, --CH₂ SO₂ NH₂, alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl radicals, or the side chain of the amino acid asparagine, S-methyl cysteine or methionine or the sulfoxide (SO) or sulfone (S₂) derivative thereof, alanine, threonine or serine; R² represents alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl or aralkyl radicals, which radicals are optionally substituted with halogen, --OR⁹ or --SR⁹ radials, wherein R⁹ represents hydrogen or alkyl radicals; R³ represents alkyl, alkenyl, hydroxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaralkyl or dialkylaminoalkyl radicals, or alkylthioalkyl radical or the sulfone or sulfoxide derivative thereof; R⁴ represents hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl or heteroaryl radicals; R⁷ and R⁷ ' independently represent hydrogen or alkyl radicals; or R⁷ and R⁷ ' together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a cycloalkyl radical; R⁸ represents cyano, hydroxyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, alkanoyl, alkylthio, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, dialkylamino, (alkyl)arylamino or dialkylaminocarbonyl radicals, or radicals represented by the formula CO₂ R¹⁶, wherein R¹⁶ represents hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl or cycloalkyl radicals; t represents either 0 or 1; n represents either 0 or 1; and Y represents O or S; and wherein alkyl, alone or in combination, is a straight-chain or branched-chain hydrocarbon radical containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms; alkenyl, alone or in combination, is a straight-chain or branched-chain hydrocarbon radical having at least one double bond and containing from 2 to 8 carbon atoms; alkynyl, alone or in combination, is a straight-chain or branched-chain hydrocarbon radical having at least one triple bond and containing from 2 to 10 carbon atoms; cycloalkyl, alone or in combination, is a hydrocarbon ring containing from 3 to 8 carbon atoms; aryl, alone or in combination, means a phenyl or naphthyl radical which optionally carries one or more alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, hydroxy, amino, nitro, cyano or haloalkyl radicals; heterocyclyl, alone or in combination, mean a saturated or partially unsaturated monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic heterocycle having 4 to 10 ring members, which contains at least one nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur or N-oxide of a tertiary nitrogen heteroatom ring member, and which is optionally substituted on one or more carbon atoms by halogen, alkyl, alkoxy or oxo radicals, or on a secondary nitrogen atom by alkyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, alkanoyl, phenyl or phenylalkyl; and heteroaryl, alone or in combination, means an aromatic heterocyclyl radical.
 3. Compound of claim 2 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, whereinR represents alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aryl or aralkyl radicals; R¹ represents hydrogen or alkyl radicals, or the side chain of the amino acid alanine; R² represents alkyl, cycloalkylalkyl or aralkyl radicals, which radicals are optionally substituted with halogen, --OR⁹ or --SR⁹ radials, wherein R⁹ represents hydrogen or methyl radicals; R³ represents alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl or cycloalkylalkyl radicals; and R⁴ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, iso-propyl, iso-butyl, iso-amyl, tert-butyl, cyclohexyl, naphtyl, bwnzyl, thienyl, furyl or pyridyl radicals or phenyl radical optionally substituted with methyl, chloro, fluoro, methoxy or nitro radicals.
 4. Compound of claim 3 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, whereinR⁷ and R⁷ ' independently represent hydrogen or methyl radicals; R⁸ represents cyano, hydroxyl, phenyl, pyridyl, imidazoyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, 4-methylpiperizinyl, acetyl, methylthio, methylsulfonyl, phenylsulfonyl, dimethylamino, (methyl)phenylamino or dimethylaminocarbonyl radicals, or radicals represented by the formula CO₂ R¹⁶, wherein R¹⁶ represents hydrogen, alkyl, aryl or aralkyl radicals; t represents 0; and Y represents O.
 5. Compound of claim 4 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, whereinR represents methyl, ethyl, propyl, iso-propyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, phenyl, phenylethyl or benzyl radicals; R¹ represents a methyl radical; R² represents methylthioethyl, iso-butyl, n-butyl, benzyl, 4-fluorobenzyl, 2-naphthylmethyl or cyclohexylmethyl radicals; R³ represents methyl, iso-propyl, butyl, iso-butyl, iso-amyl, penyl, neo-pentyl, hexyl, propenyl, cyclohexyl, cyclohexylmethyl or cycloproylmethyl radicals; and R⁴ represents a hydrogen radical; and R¹⁶ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, iso-propyl, iso-butyl, phenyl or (4-methoxyphenyl)methyl radicals.
 6. Compound of claim 2 which isN- 2R-hydroxy-3S- 2S-methyl-3-(methylsulfonyl)-1-oxopropyl!amino!-4-phenylbutyl!(3-methylbutyl)-amino!sulfonyl!-2-methylalanine, ethyl ester; N- 2R-hydroxy-3S- 2S- (methylsulfonyl)methyl!-1-oxobutyl!amino!-4phenylbutyl!(3-methylbutyl)amino!-sulfonyl!alanine; N- 2R-hydroxy-3S- 2S-methyl-3-(methylsulfonyl)-1-oxopropyl!amino!-4-phenylbutyl!(4-pyridinylmethyl)-amino!sulfonyl!-2-methylalanine; N- 2R-hydroxy-3S- 2S-methyl-3-(methylsulfonyl)-1-oxopropyl!amino!-4-phenylbutyl!(3-methylbutyl)-amino!sulfonyl!-2-methylalanine; 1- 2R-hydroxy-3S- 2S-methyl-3-(methylsulfonyl)-1-oxopropyl!amino!-4-phenylbutyl!(3-methylbutyl)-amino!sulfonyl!amino!cyclopentanecarboxylic acid; N- 2R-hydroxy-3S- 2S-methyl-3-(methylsulfonyl)-1-oxopropyl!amino!-4-phenylbutyl!(3-methylbutyl)-amino!sulfonyl!-2-methylalanine, methyl ester; 3- 2R-hydroxy-3S- 2S-methyl-3-(methylsulfonyl)-1-oxopropyl!amino!-4-phenylbutyl!(3-methylbutyl)-amino!sulfonyl!amino!-3-methylbutanoic acid; N- 2R-hydroxy-3S- 2S-methyl-1-oxo-3- (2-phenylethyl)sulfonyl!propyl!amino!-4-phenylbutyl!(2-methylpropyl)amino!sulfonyl!-2-methylalanine; 3- 2R-hydroxy-3S- 2S-methyl-3-(methylsulfonyl)-1-oxopropyl!amino!-4-phenylbutyl!(2-methylpropyl)-amino!sulfonyl!amino!-2-methylpropanoic acid; 1- 4- (fluorophenyl)methyl! 2R-hydroxy-3S- 1-oxo-2S- (2-(phenylethyl)sulfonyl!methyl!butyl!amino!-4-phenylbutyl!amino!sulfonyl!amino!cyclopropane-carboxylic acid; or N- 2R-hydroxy-3- (2-hydroxy-1,1-dimethylethyl)-amino!sulfonyl!(2-methylpropyl)amino!1S-(phenylmethyl)propyl!-2S-methyl-3-(methylsulfonyl)-propanamide.
 7. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of claim 2 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 